Rick Harrison has drawn a comparison between drug dealers and “terrorists” as part of his ongoing effort to address the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. On a recent episode of “The Sunday Briefing,” the reality TV personality expressed his support for former President Donald Trump’s initiatives aimed at reducing the distribution of illegal synthetic opioids.
Harrison, who lost his son to an overdose nearly two years ago, expressed a sense of hope that Trump might somehow have been able to save his son. “Drug overdoses take the lives of over 100,000 individuals each year in this country,” he stated to Peter Doocy. “That’s like dirty bombs detonating in various cities,” he added, questioning if the influx of fentanyl could be viewed similarly to nuclear weapons entering the nation.
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “Whatever we have to do to stop the spread in this country.” Harrison remarked that even saving 100 people would be a monumental achievement, given the staggering annual death toll from overdoses. He declared, “These individuals are terrorists, and it’s no different than a nuclear bomb.”
His son, Adam Harrison, passed away from fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity in January 2024; it was ruled an accidental death. “That’s where it all came from,” he remarked, indicating that he found the border closure surprising.
He also warned drug traffickers, stating, “I want people who sell fentanyl to go to prison for the rest of their lives. They’re selling poison and killing people.” Harrison noted that one person dies from fentanyl in the U.S. roughly every 11 minutes, labeling the situation as “really scary.” He urged for stronger penalties for those involved in drug sales and advocated for more stringent measures against nations enabling drug production.
Reportedly, Adam was in jail for months before moving to a guesthouse in Las Vegas, where he was later found deceased. Although he wasn’t featured on “Pawn Stars,” he worked behind the scenes in their family business. The show, which first aired in 2009, continues to attract viewers, though the premiere date for its 23rd season remains unannounced.
