WA Legislators Bill Expands Funding for Local Drug Task Forces to Combat Opioids

Resources / Press Share on WA Legislators Bill Expands Funding for Local Drug Task Forces to Combat Opioids May 19, 2026 Press May 15, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) this week joined with colleagues Dan Newhouse and Rick Larsen on the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act to establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country. The bill’s introduction coincides with National Police Week, celebrated from May 11th through May 17th to recognize the sacrifices that law enforcement officers make to keep communities safe across the United States “Law enforcement makes real sacrifices to their personal safety to stop Fentanyl trafficking – inherently drug trafficking happens across jurisdictional boundaries and requires the multi-jurisdictional approach,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez . “This funding makes all the sense in the world and I’m proud to help honor the sacrifice of our law enforcement by ensuring they’ve got the tools they need to most effectively combat the fentanyl crisis.” “We have made progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic in recent years, but there is more work to be done,” said Rep. Larsen . “Local, state and Tribal law enforcement officers have told me they often lack the funding and resources to stem the flow of opioids harming their communities. This bill invests in and empowers multi-jurisdictional task forces to get more opioids and fentanyl off our streets – a critical investment that will save lives.” “In order to reverse the fentanyl crisis that has plagued Central Washington, and our nation as a whole, there needs to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to crack down on opioid trafficking,” said Rep. Newhouse . “State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies need additional resources and improved coordination to tackle this issue head on and make our communities safer. This legislation builds off of my Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025 because ending the fentanyl crisis must be a bipartisan effort. I thank Rep. Larsen for providing additional legislation to continue fighting this epidemic.” According to preliminary data , in 2025 there were 2,170 fatal opioid overdoses in Washington state, a 12.8% decrease from 2024, and 11,122 suspected opioid overdose emergency department visits, a 16.6% decrease from 2024. The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act would: Expand and formalize an existing Department of Justice (DOJ) program administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office – the Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) – to fund multi-jurisdictional task forces to target opioid trafficking. Help law enforcement expand partnerships across federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to address opioid trafficking. Allow funds to be used to create new, or expand existing, muti-jurisdictional drug task forces; hire and train law enforcement offices and other support employees; procure equipment, technology, and support systems; and pay overtime. Require 40 percent of funding to be made directly available to Indian Tribes (20 percent) and MJTFs (20 percent), which will help promote local law enforcement goals and limit the administrative burdens and additional requirements associated with using pass-through entities to secure funding. Authorize funding that doubles the amount historically provided to the AHTF to robustly support MTJFs and anti-trafficking efforts. Permit the COPS director to provide technical assistance , including through training centers and facilities, to instruct law enforcement and MJTFs on best practices for combating opioid trafficking A fact sheet on the legislation is available HERE . What Stakeholders Are Saying About the Bill Washington State Narcotics Investigators Association (WSNIA) President Chris Foreman: Read their original letter in support of the legislation HERE . Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) Executive Director Steve Strachan: “WASPC is pleased to endorse this proposal and really appreciates Reps. Larsen, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Newhouse’s support and advocacy for Washington’s multi-jurisdictional drug task forces.” National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) President Tony Kestner: “The National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition commends Representatives Larsen, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Newhouse for their work and introduction of the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act. Greater investment in resources for drug enforcement efforts – particularly multi-jurisdictional drug task forces – is needed to counter the alarming trend of drug poisoning. Multi-jurisdictional drug task forces have generated best practices in information sharing, case deconfliction, and institutional coordination against local and regional drug threats. Given the diversification of Byrne JAG funding for purpose