Rick Harrison, a television personality known for his role in “Pawn Stars,” has voiced scathing criticism against U.S. border policies amid a surging fentanyl crisis, a tragedy that hit close to home with the recent death of his 39-year-old son, Adam, due to a fentanyl overdose.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mr. Harrison expressed his deep grief over the loss of his son and lauded former President Trump for his stance on combating the crisis. “He’s an incredible individual,” Harrison remarked of Trump, highlighting the former president’s commitment to addressing the issue.
Mr. Harrison minced no words in condemning politicians for their perceived inaction, labeling them as “complicit” in the spate of fentanyl-related deaths. He criticized the ease with which fentanyl can be obtained, emphasizing the urgent need for stringent measures to combat its proliferation. “Let’s start arresting the people selling it, arresting the people bringing it over the border, close down the border, make it really expensive. Let’s make a fentanyl death rare,” Mr. Harrison urged.
The reality TV star lambasted the current border policy as “absolutely ridiculous,” holding politicians accountable for their failure to stem the flow of drugs into the country. He drew attention to the alarming statistics of fentanyl-related deaths, likening the situation to a daily plane crash.
Mr. Harrison’s criticism extended to the federal government’s stance on border enforcement, particularly in light of its legal dispute with Texas over the state’s efforts to secure its borders. “We have a government that’s suing the state saying, ‘No, you can’t block tons of people coming into this country,’” he lamented, decrying what he saw as a lack of common sense in policy-making.
The tragedy of Adam’s death underscored the devastating impact of fentanyl addiction, with Mr. Harrison advocating for stricter penalties for drug dealers and policymakers to prioritize effective solutions. “I think any drug dealer that sells fentanyl . . . they should get at least manslaughter charges,” he asserted, emphasizing the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life.
Mr. Harrison’s impassioned plea for change extended to his critique of lenient drug laws, citing the example of Oregon’s controversial decriminalization policy. Under Oregon’s Measure 110, possession of small amounts of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone, and MDMA, among others, became a civil violation rather than a criminal offense. Instead of facing arrest, prosecution, and potential incarceration, individuals found in possession of these drugs would receive a citation similar to a traffic ticket. They would then have the option to either pay a $100 fine or complete a health assessment at an addiction recovery center. The goal was to divert individuals away from the criminal justice system and towards treatment and support services. This week, lawmakers met for proposed revisions as the bill faced what critics call “failure.” Mr. Harrison argued for tougher penalties for drug offenses and emphasized the importance of deterrence in curbing drug-related crimes.
Reflecting on his son’s struggle with addiction, Mr. Harrison shared the heartache of witnessing Adam’s downward spiral and the toll it took on their family. “It was a tough week. I mean, if I wasn’t screaming at a wall, I was, like, crying my eyes out,” he confessed, underscoring the personal toll of the fentanyl crisis.
In calling for decisive action to address the fentanyl epidemic, Mr.Harrison echoed the concerns of many Americans grappling with the devastating consequences of addiction. “Americans . . . they care about their kids,” he asserted, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding future generations from the scourge of drug addiction.
Christine Bish, a Congressional Candidate in California, echoed Mr. Harrison’s sentiments, sharing her heartbreaking story with The Epoch Times. In 2022, she lost her daughter to a fentanyl overdose and expressed her frustration: “The person who sold the drugs to my daughter did not face charges, and he murdered her.” Breaking down in tears, Ms. Bish stressed her dedication to safeguarding children, declaring, “This is our nation’s pain.” She highlighted the urgency of addressing the destructive effects of drug abuse on families and communities.
Furthermore, Ms. Bish recounted an encounter with an elected official who questioned her grief: “After my daughter died, an elected official called me and offered condolences. Then, that person asked me if I was embarrassed.” Shocked and angered by the suggestion, Bish defended herself, emphasizing that she had nothing to be embarrassed about. She admonished the official, stating, “You’re the one who should be embarrassed. You should be ashamed. You had the ability to do something. You had a voice. You could stand up and say something about the drugs that are coming over.”
Ms. Bish emphasized the fentanyl epidemic, stating, “My daughter is not the first, and Rick’s son is not the last.”
