Following yet another devastating fentanyl overdose claiming the life of a teenager in Texas Congressional District 3, the glaring reality of the "opioid crisis" is once again thrust into the spotlight. However, amidst this distressing news, the silence from our current congressman is deafening. Despite many politicians rehashing political "talking points" on border security and the illegal transportation of fentanyl across the border, they conveniently overlook the grim truth: the drug is already here, circulating on social media platforms with ease and contributing to more than 3,100 overdose deaths in Texas annually.
Amidst this alarming backdrop, only one candidate stands prepared to tackle this pressing issue head-on, Dr. Tre Pennie. Drawing upon a career that spans law enforcement and public safety advocacy, Dr. Pennie offers a unique perspective. As a retired Dallas Police sergeant with firsthand experience combating drug-related crime on the streets, Dr. Pennie garnered national attention in 2001 when he seized over 1.2 million dollars' worth of ice methamphetamine during a routine traffic stop. This major seizure underscores his unwavering commitment to ridding our communities of dangerous drugs.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pennie has established himself as a trailblazer in raising awareness about the perils of nefarious activities on social media and their impact on the real-world, most notably the sale of counterfeit drugs contaminated with fentanyl. While proactively addressing the evolving landscape of drug distribution online, Dr. Pennie exhibited decisive leadership by consulting with federal agencies such as the DEA and FDA on ways to mitigate risks. Recognizing legal impediments for agencies to address the issue, in 2017, he took a monumental step by initiating a federal lawsuit against tech giants—Facebook, Google, and Twitter—known as the landmark case Pennie v. Twitter. This groundbreaking legal action further solidified Dr. Pennie's reputation as a pioneer in highlighting the dangers associated with illicit online activities.
With rising overdose deaths across the country, Dr. Pennie remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting the country from the scourge of fentanyl by addressing the "true" point of illegal drug distribution – social media's open-air drug market. To address this issue, he advocates for revising Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act (CDA 230) to hold social media platforms accountable for hosting pages that advertise the sale of counterfeit drugs and the use of their algorithms to target teens.
The ongoing devastation caused by the nationwide opioid crisis has established one revelation – Congress is inadequately prepared to address the issue. Moreover, now more than ever there is a need for experienced leadership that understands the crisis and has the expertise to confront it head-on.
Dr. Tre Pennie emerges as a beacon of hope for both the nation and Texas Congressional District 3. Drawing from the sentiments from his 2022 congressional testimony, where he emphasized that "there is no substitute for real-life experience," we can trust that his profound expertise will play an important role in safeguarding our communities.
Let’s rally behind Dr. Tre Pennie, so he can work to protect our kids and communities from the emerging dangers online including the fentanyl crisis!
Vote Pennie for Congress to "SECURE AMERICA FOR EVERYONE!"
