California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, is sending his National Guard and Highway Patrol to San Francisco to fight against the trafficking in synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Newsom stated in a press release that “two truths” can exist at once: San Francisco’s violent crimes rate is lower than comparable sized cities such as Jacksonville and Fort Worth. We also need to do more to address public security concerns, particularly the fentanyl epidemic.

Governor announced that the CalGuard, along with the Highway Patrol of the state, will be partnering up with local law-enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office of San Francisco.

Newsom stated that “through this new collaborative partnership we will provide more law enforcement personnel and resources to crackdown on crime related to the fentanyl crises, hold the poison peddlers responsible, and increase law enforcement presence in San Francisco to improve public security and public confidence,” Newsom added.

CalGuard and the California Highway Patrol have identified resources and personnel to “support the analysis of drug trafficking operation” and the Governor will direct a multi-agency operation to begin.

In a press release, the Governor’s Office emphasizes that “today’s partnership won’t seek to criminalize individuals struggling with substance abuse and will instead focus on holding drugs suppliers and traffickers responsible.”

In his State of the Union Address earlier this year, President Biden urged action to combat the opioid epidemic and fentanyl-related deaths.

San Francisco saw an “alarming increase” in deaths related to fentanyl. “With a more 40% jump in overdose death from January through the end of March this year,” said the Governor’s Office.