🚨 Border Sheriff Sounds Alarm: Fentanyl Crisis Explodes in Arizona
🧩 The Missing Piece: Local Input in Federal Task Forces 💔 Tough Love or Harmful Policy? The Syringe Debate 🌵 Desert Dispatch: Cochise County's Front-Line Perspective
Based on the 9/24/24 Winn Tucson Show on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"In 2020, there was two man fentanyl pills seized in Arizona... Last year, there was 111 million fentanyl pills." - Sheriff Mark Dannels, highlighting the dramatic increase in fentanyl seizures.
"I refuse to do that because if you're an addict, you want help. I'm open arms to you. If you need a clean syringe, I'm not going to enable your addiction." - Sheriff Mark Dannels, opposing harm reduction strategies.
"107,000 citizens died of an opioid crisis or poisoning... What about the epidemic of poisoning to our youth, to our communities, to our families? That has to be addressed through enforcement, too." - Sheriff Mark Dannels, arguing for prioritizing enforcement over other approaches.
"If we follow the rule of law, we wouldn't have a border crisis right now." - Sheriff Mark Dannels, advocating for strict enforcement of immigration laws.
⏮️ ICYMI: From the Last Show…
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📻 A sheriff on the radio talked about big problems at the border 🇲🇽. He said lots of bad drugs 💊 are coming into Arizona, and many kids 👧👦 who cross the border are missing. The sheriff thinks the government 🏛️ isn't doing enough to help. He wants to keep people safe 🛡️ but doesn't like some ideas to help people who use drugs 💉. They also talked about people without homes 🏠 and how it costs a lot of money to help them. It's a tricky situation with no easy answers!
🗝️ Takeaways
🚀 Fentanyl seizures in Arizona skyrocketed from 2 million pills in 2020 to 111 million in 2023
🚔 Local law enforcement feels excluded from federal border security planning
💊 Sheriff opposes harm reduction strategies like providing clean syringes to addicts
👥 Reported number of missing migrant children has increased from 85,000 to over 300,000
🏘️ Arizona's homeless population has surged 40% in five years, costing over $1 billion annually
🤷 Two out of 15 Arizona county sheriffs (Pima and Santa Cruz) are not cooperating on border security efforts
📻 What They Discussed
Winn Tucson, hosted by Kathleen Winn, is a conservative radio show that delves into pressing issues affecting Arizona, particularly border security, immigration, and public safety. In this episode, Winn interviews Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County, a prominent figure in Arizona law enforcement known for his outspoken views on border security and his multiple leadership roles in various sheriffs' associations.
Sheriff Dannels, running for his fourth term, brings extensive experience as a border county sheriff and his involvement in national law enforcement organizations to the table. His perspective represents a hardline approach to border security and drug enforcement, often critical of federal policies and emphasizing local law enforcement's role in addressing these issues.
The show provides a platform for Sheriff Dannels to express his views on the current state of border security, the fentanyl crisis, and what he perceives as shortcomings in federal approaches to these problems. The discussion touches on a range of topics, from the surge in fentanyl seizures to the debate over harm reduction strategies in addressing drug addiction.
🚔 Border Security and the Fentanyl Crisis: A Sheriff's Perspective
Sheriff Mark Dannels paints a grim picture of the situation at the Arizona-Mexico border, focusing mainly on the alarming increase in fentanyl seizures.
He states, "In 2020, there was two man fentanyl pills seized in Arizona... Last year, there was 111 million fentanyl pills."
This staggering increase is the cornerstone of his argument for stricter border control and enhanced law enforcement efforts.
Dannels criticizes the federal government's approach to the crisis, arguing that local law enforcement is not sufficiently involved in decision-making processes. He expresses frustration with a recent meeting where federal officials presented plans for a new task force to address the fentanyl issue, stating, "It was made up of all federal law enforcement. It's not made up of any sheriffs or police chiefs."
The sheriff's stance on harm reduction strategies, particularly the distribution of clean syringes to drug users, is unequivocal.
He states, "I refuse to do that because if you're an addict, you want help. I'm open arms to you. If you need a clean syringe, I'm not going to enable your addiction."
This position reflects a law enforcement-centric approach to drug addiction, prioritizing enforcement over harm reduction strategies advocated by many public health experts.
💼 Federal Spending and Local Priorities: A Clash of Perspectives
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around what Sheriff Dannels perceives as misplaced priorities in federal spending. He contrasts the $150 billion spent on immigration issues at the border with what he sees as insufficient funding for addressing the opioid epidemic.
Dannels argues, "107,000 citizens died of an opioid crisis or poisoning... What about the epidemic of poisoning to our youth, to our communities, to our families? That has to be addressed through enforcement, too."
This argument reflects a broader debate about resource allocation and the balance between border security, immigration management, and domestic public health issues. Dannels advocates for a shift in focus towards what he considers more pressing issues directly affecting American citizens.
🏠 The Homelessness Crisis: An Unexpected Topic in Border Discussions
Interestingly, the conversation turns to the issue of homelessness in Arizona.
Kathleen Winn mentions a statistic: "Arizona is spending over 1 billion annually on homelessness-related services. And the homeless population has increased by 40% in the last five years."
This pivot to homelessness in a discussion primarily focused on border security and drug enforcement highlights the interconnected nature of social issues and the complexity of resource allocation in addressing them.
Sheriff Dannels responds by emphasizing the need to "take care of our own first," suggesting prioritizing resources towards addressing domestic issues over immigration-related expenses. This perspective aligns with his overall stance on focusing on what he perceives as direct threats to the quality of life of American citizens.
👮 Law Enforcement Unity and the Rule of Law
Throughout the interview, Sheriff Dannels emphasizes the importance of unity among law enforcement agencies and strict adherence to existing laws. He expresses disappointment in the lack of cooperation from two Arizona county sheriffs (later identified as those from Pima and Santa Cruz counties) on border security efforts.
Dannels' approach to immigration is summed up in his statement: "If we follow the rule of law, we wouldn't have a border crisis right now."
This stance reflects a belief in strict enforcement of existing immigration laws without exceptions, even in cases considered humanitarian.
🔍 Criticisms of Federal Approaches and Call for Local Involvement
The interview concludes with Sheriff Dannels expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of newly announced federal task forces. He argues that these initiatives are unlikely to succeed without proper funding for enforcement and without the inclusion of local law enforcement perspectives.
Dannels calls for a more community-centered approach: "Until Congress realizes that we're sharing the same communities, we still have a problem. We have to listen to the partner."
This sentiment encapsulates his overall message: that effective solutions to border security and drug enforcement must involve local perspectives and prioritize the immediate concerns of border communities.
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
🌵 Borderlands Under Siege: Unpacking the Rhetoric of Fear and Control
In a recent episode of Winn Tucson, Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County painted a dire picture of our borderlands, weaving a narrative that demands critical examination through the lens of social justice, human rights, and the complex realities of migration and drug policy.
The Fentanyl Fallacy: Scapegoating Migrants for a Public Health Crisis
Sheriff Dannels' emphasis on the dramatic increase in fentanyl seizures - from 2 million pills in 2020 to 111 million in 2023 - serves as a cornerstone for his argument for increased border militarization. However, this narrative conveniently ignores the root causes of the opioid crisis, including the role of pharmaceutical companies and systemic healthcare failures.
By framing the fentanyl crisis primarily as a border security issue, Dannels perpetuates a harmful myth that scapegoats migrants for a complex public health problem. This rhetoric not only dehumanizes those seeking refuge but also diverts attention and resources from evidence-based solutions.
The Harm in Rejecting Harm Reduction
Perhaps most troubling is Dannels' outright rejection of harm reduction strategies. His statement, "I refuse to do that because if you're an addict, you want help. I'm open arms to you. If you need a clean syringe, I'm not going to enable your addiction," reveals a profound misunderstanding of addiction and evidence-based approaches to public health.
Harm reduction strategies, including clean syringe programs, are proven to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and provide a crucial point of contact for individuals to access health services and addiction treatment. By dismissing these approaches, Dannels advocates for policies that will likely increase suffering and mortality among vulnerable populations.
The Human Cost of "Rule of Law" Rhetoric
Dannels' insistence on strict adherence to immigration law - "If we follow the rule of law, we wouldn't have a border crisis right now" - ignores the human rights implications of such an approach.
This simplistic view fails to acknowledge the complex factors driving migration, including U.S. foreign policy, climate change, and economic exploitation.
Moreover, the alarming increase in missing migrant children - from 85,000 to over 300,000 - should be a call for compassionate, human-rights-centered policies. Instead, it's being used to justify further militarization and punishment.
Homelessness: A Symptom, Not a Cause
The discussion of Arizona's homelessness crisis - a 40% increase in five years, costing over $1 billion annually - is framed as another border-related issue. However, this narrative ignores the systemic causes of homelessness, including income inequality, lack of affordable housing, and inadequate mental health services.
By conflating homelessness with border issues, the show diverts attention from the actual policy failures at the local and national levels that contribute to housing insecurity.
A Call for Nuanced, Compassionate Solutions
As we navigate the complex issues facing our borderlands, we must reject the politics of fear and division. Instead, we need approaches that:
Address the root causes of migration, including U.S. foreign policy and economic practices destabilizing other nations.
Implement evidence-based public health strategies to address addiction and overdose, including harm reduction.
Prioritize human rights and family unity in immigration policies.
Tackle homelessness through housing-first policies and addressing systemic inequalities.
Include diverse voices, especially those of impacted communities, in policy-making processes.
Only by moving beyond the simplistic "law and order" narrative can we hope to create practical solutions to the challenges facing our borderlands and our communities. It's time to replace fear with compassion, punishment with support, and division with solidarity.
If you enjoyed this article, buy us a cup of coffee! We 🤎☕‼️
👯 People Mentioned
Sheriff Mark Dannels: Cochise County Sheriff, running for his fourth term. Outspoken on border security issues. Quote: "Until Congress realizes that we're sharing the same communities, we still have a problem. We have to listen to the partner."
Kathleen Wynn: Host of "Win Tucson" radio show. Quote: "Arizona is spending over 1 billion annually on homelessness-related services. And the homeless population has searched 40% in the last five years."
Pima County Sheriff (unnamed): Mentioned as not cooperating on border security efforts.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff (unnamed): Mentioned as not cooperating on border security efforts.
Tucson Police Chief (unnamed): Mentioned as present at a meeting with federal officials.
Kingman Police Chief (unnamed): Mentioned as present at a meeting with federal officials.
Marana Police Chief (unnamed): Mentioned as present at a meeting with federal officials.
Sheriff Klaus: From Navajo County, mentioned as speaking at a meeting with federal officials.
Sheriff Skinner: Maricopa County Sheriff, mentioned as speaking at a meeting with federal officials.
🧐 Propaganda AI-nalysis
The interview with Sheriff Dannels on "Win Tucson" employs several propaganda techniques:
Appeal to fear: Emphasizing threats like the fentanyl crisis and illegal immigration to create a sense of urgency.
Simplification: Reducing complex issues to simple narratives of law enforcement versus lawbreakers.
Scapegoating: Blaming the federal government for failures in border security and drug enforcement.
Assertion: Making claims without providing supporting evidence, relying on the sheriff's authority.
Bandwagon: Presenting the sheriff's views as widely supported by other law enforcement officials.
Testimonial: Using Sheriff Dannels' position to lend credibility to his statements.
Selective omission: Focusing on negative aspects of immigration and drug use, omitting alternative perspectives.
Us vs. Them mentality: Pitting local law enforcement against federal authorities and citizens against immigrants and drug users.
Repetition: Reiterating key points about the fentanyl crisis and the need for stricter enforcement.
Emotional appeal: Using emotive language and personal anecdotes to connect with listeners emotionally.
 | A guest post by
|