Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio Raises Alarm Over Fentanyl Presence on Guam and Calls for Community Response

Fentanyl Overdoses on the Rise in Guam, Acting Governor Urges Community Response

With fentanyl overdoses already claiming three lives this year, acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio is sounding the alarm for Guam residents to be vigilant about the drug’s presence on the island.

In an interview with the Pacific Daily News, Tenorio expressed his concerns about the growing threat of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and lethal at very small doses. He noted that Guam has already seen an increase in fentanyl-related deaths, with three reported so far in 2024 compared to just one in 2023 and 2022.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reports seizing 79.5 million fentanyl pills last year, with seven out of 10 of those pills containing a lethal dose of the drug. This trend has led to a wave of overdose deaths across the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating 74,702 overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, in 2023.

In response to the growing crisis, Tenorio emphasized the need for a multi-agency unified law enforcement group, or MAULEG, to help expand efforts to combat drug distribution on the island. This legislation, proposed by Sen. Chris Dueñas, aims to pull in law enforcement officers and resources from various government agencies to tackle the local drug epidemic.

Beyond law enforcement efforts, Tenorio stressed the importance of a community response to address the issue of fentanyl abuse. He urged families to be honest about what is happening in their households and to hold individuals accountable for bringing dangerous substances into the island, especially those that pose a risk to children.

As Guam grapples with the increasing presence of fentanyl, Tenorio highlighted the need for heavy interdiction of the narcotic, expansion of drug treatment programs, and incentivizing police recruitment to combat the crisis effectively. He also noted the active involvement of the DEA and the FDA on Guam in addressing the issue.

In the face of this growing threat, Tenorio remains confident that Guam can make progress in pushing back against drug abuse. However, he emphasized the importance of a united effort from both law enforcement and the community to combat the spread of fentanyl and prevent further tragedies on the island.