WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) Tuesday introduced the Fight Against Fentanyl Act, a bill to permit the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to be used for the purchase of fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents by law enforcement agencies.
The Byrne JAG grant program is the leading source of federal funding to state and local police jurisdictions.
The Fight Against Fentanyl Act would amend the Byrne JAG program to allow for state and local police agencies to purchase fentanyl test kits and opioid reversal agents using federal funds.
“Fentanyl is not just a local problem; it is a huge crisis nationwide,” Kean said. “This bill is a vital step towards safeguarding the lives and communities from the devastating impact of fentanyl and to ensure our first responders have the tools necessary to combat this crisis. I thank my colleague, Congressman Van Drew, for working with me on this legislation so we can protect New Jerseyans and Americans across the nation.”
“The widespread fentanyl crisis is devastating families across the country and it’s urgent we fight for measures to counteract its tragic impact. Access to fentanyl testing strips and opioid reversal agents are the key components in this crucial fight. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting the Fight Against Fentanyl Act to ensure that our communities are equipped with the resources they need to mitigate this crisis,” Van Drew said.
