Letters: Drug abuse not new in Ohio. Portman blaming Biden's border policies is a stretch.

'Fentanyl terror' just a distraction

The June 2 opinion page had a column written by Sen. Rob Portman concerning fentanyl drug overdoses ("OSU overdoses show hidden fentanyl terror"). At first, I thought it must be an article from a decade ago. Drug abuse in Ohio is something new?

Sen. Portman points blame at President Biden's southern border policies. That is quite a twist, as Portman told us for over four years that there would be a big, beautiful wall, as proposed by then-President Donald Trump, paid for by Mexico.

More: Ohio Republicans say secure border will curb overdoses, but drug crisis is complicated

Portman states his proposed act would fix some of the problems. This act was proposed in February, hardly current. Sen. Portman's timing is to distract Ohioans — this time from the recent horrible gun tragedies.

More: Letters: Abortion column stated opinion as fact. Portman has final shot at redemption.

Where is Sen. Portman's proposal on gun safety? Do something, senator!

George Gans, Dublin

What about protecting the born?

State legislators, including those here in Ohio, have been working on and passing all kinds of anti-abortion laws. They say they are "pro-life" and are protecting the unborn.

More: Columbus on mass shootings: Shame on home of the brave. Our children are being slaughtered

These same legislators, along with some of our national legislators, refuse to pass any gun legislation to protect our students, K through 12, from being slaughtered in their school classrooms.

Loretta Daugherty, Blacklick

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Answers to 'the real problem'

In the wake of the recent spate of mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and elsewhere, Republicans have been quick to remind us that the real problem is not guns but mental health. If so, the pro-life party will be happy to support a few modest measures to prevent future tragedies.

More: After Texas school tragedy, Gov. Mike DeWine lays out plans to prevent shootings in Ohio

First: All health insurance policies will be required to include full coverage for mental health treatment.

Second: Implement a system of universal health coverage with no opt-outs, so that everybody can receive mental health treatment.

Third: Anybody purchasing a firearm must first pass a battery of psychological exams to verify that they are not suffering from a potentially dangerous mental illness.

Ken Clubok, Bexley

No 'meaningful action' by GOP

Ohioans cannot expect to see any meaningful action by state or federal Republican elected officials on reasonable gun safety laws.

Gov. Mike DeWine could not stand by his alleged convictions after the Dayton shooting by taking any courageous position. He did not veto any bills the legislature passed which eliminated existing gun safety laws.

More: Dayton Mom to DeWine: I stood there, cried and believed you. You've let us down on guns.

He currently has said he will not back any proposals that he knows will not be accepted by the legislature, which is controlled by his fellow Republicans. So much for his bully pulpit.

More: Three years after Dayton attack, Texas shooting fuels anger over Ohio inaction on guns

It has been reported that U.S. Sen. Rob Portman over his elected career has accepted NRA campaign donations totaling almost $3.1 million.

If Ohioans want sensible laws maybe it's time for voters and Ohio organizations to finally bring these issues to the ballot box through the referendum process to repeal laws and/or institute laws. This also may impact federal legislators as to the will of their constituents.

Toba Feldman, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Rob Portman blames drug crisis on Joe Biden's border policies