Sheriff Bouchard presents Oakland County's multi-faceted response to fentanyl crisis

The Michigan Legislature's recent meeting on March 19, 2025, featured a critical presentation by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, focusing on the escalating fentanyl crisis and its implications for public safety and health. Sheriff Bouchard, who has extensive experience in law enforcement and policy-making, highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated response to the fentanyl epidemic, which claimed nearly 100,000 lives in the U.S. in 2023 alone.

During his presentation, Bouchard emphasized that the fentanyl crisis is exacerbated by the emergence of synthetic opioids and other dangerous substances, such as Xylazine, a tranquilizer increasingly found in street drugs. He warned that even marijuana is being tainted with fentanyl, posing significant risks to users. The sheriff underscored that law enforcement cannot solely rely on arrests to combat this issue; a comprehensive approach involving prevention, education, and treatment is essential.

Bouchard detailed several innovative initiatives implemented in Oakland County to address the crisis. These include a crisis response unit that assists individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges, and a co-responder program that pairs law enforcement with mental health professionals to de-escalate crises. He also noted that Oakland County was the first in Michigan to equip patrol cars with Narcan, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses, and to deploy an FDA-approved nasal spray for synthetic opioids.

The sheriff called for legislative action to strengthen regulations around substances contributing to the crisis. He urged lawmakers to schedule Xylazine as a controlled substance and to reclassify fentanyl to a Schedule 1 drug, aligning state laws with federal proposals. Additionally, he advocated for stricter regulations on pill presses, which are responsible for producing counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, leading to tragic overdoses among unsuspecting users.

Bouchard concluded by stressing the importance of funding for drug enforcement and reentry programs to support individuals transitioning out of incarceration. He emphasized that a multi-agency approach, combined with robust law enforcement and effective treatment programs, is crucial to tackling the fentanyl crisis and improving community safety.

The meeting underscored the pressing need for legislative support and community collaboration to combat the growing threat of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in Michigan.