Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Representative John James (MI-10) questioned Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard in the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee about the threat of illicit drugs in our communities. The United States, and especially Southeast Michigan, has experienced an overdose epidemic in recent years, largely stemming from deadly fentanyl. 

According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2024, Michigan lost 2,931 lives from overdoses. This surpasses the total number of U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan over the entire 20-year war (2,352), underscoring the devastating severity of the fentanyl crisis. 

“Opioid addiction has impacted every community across America, and it's especially hit the residents of my district in Oakland and Macomb counties,” said James. “The previous administration's policies left a trail of destruction, heartbreak and broken families in its wake, and now it's up to us to clean it up.”

Sheriff Bouchard, who has over 37 years of law enforcement experience and has served as Oakland County Sheriff since 2000, has been on the front lines of this devastating battle against fentanyl in Southeast Michigan. 

In his opening statement, Rep. James said the following regarding Sheriff Bouchard:

“He knows firsthand what's going on in our communities, and he has been successful leading for Southeast Michigan. In May 2024, 500 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of fentanyl and Oxycontin were seized. April 2024, $20,000 in cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs confiscated. March 2023, 41.5 kilos of fentanyl- enough to kill all 10.3 million Michiganders- were confiscated because of the leadership of Sheriff Mike Bouchard and his phenomenal team. I'm grateful to him for his leadership, I’m grateful for his friendship, and I’m excited to hear about his leadership and lessons learned today.”

To view the full interaction between Rep. James and Sheriff Bouchard, click here.

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