Bill > HR2024

This bill establishes the Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics (JTF-ISN), a multi-agency initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. Recognizing that hundreds of thousands of Americans are dying from substance abuse, primarily involving opioids, the bill creates a centralized entity to coordinate efforts across federal, state, tribal, and local governments. The task force will be led by a Presidential appointee and composed of representatives from various agencies including the Departments of Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security, State, Commerce, and Defense, among others. Its primary missions include directing counter-opioid activities, conducting investigations, disrupting synthetic narcotics trafficking networks, and implementing strategic coordination with law enforcement agencies. The JTF-ISN will have broad investigative and prosecutorial powers related to illicit synthetic narcotics, money laundering, and associated financial crimes, with a specific focus on addressing the role of the People's Republic of China in the opioids trade. The task force will be required to submit comprehensive reports to Congressional committees every 180 days, detailing its goals, collaboration efforts, budget priorities, and operational achievements. Importantly, the bill explicitly prevents the JTF-ISN from targeting individuals for personal drug use or pursuing enforcement actions against low-level drug dealing without significant connections to larger trafficking networks.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2024/all-info