Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to defend Northwest Washington communities every day. This week and every week, I honor their courage, sacrifice and dedication, and I remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty.
“Local police officers on the front lines of the opioid epidemic deserve dedicated federal funding to support their critical work. I introduced legislation today to give multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task forces the support they need to keep up the momentum in the fight against opioids. I will keep working to get our police officers the tools they need to stop trafficking and save lives.”
National Police Week 2026 is celebrated from May 11 through May 17 to honor the sacrifices law enforcement officers make to keep communities safe and to remember the officers who have died in the line of duty.
Today, Rep. Larsen introduced the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act with Washington Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04). This bipartisan legislation would establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country.
Larsen Leads Fight against Opioid Crisis in Northwest Washington
Rep. Larsen is focused on supporting local law enforcement in their fight against the opioid epidemic. In 2024, he published a districtwide opioid report that outlines a four-pillar framework to combat the crisis. Since the publication of that report, Larsen has introduced four pieces of legislation to fight fentanyl in Northwest Washington:
The PROTECT Act, which gives Tribal courts and law enforcement more tools and resources to combat the opioid epidemic.
The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act, which establishes a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country.
The Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act, which expands access to lifesaving, community-based harm reduction initiatives and services and enhances the federal response to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic.
