Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation in late November that would have created a fentanyl task force to discuss the issue.

It would have been a toothless response to a real crisis.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent. While some doctors prescribe fentanyl for those with severe pain, especially after surgery, or in cases where a patient is tolerant to other prescription opioids, it can be made illegally. And it’s everywhere. It started in a small scale, but lately has been popping up in drug busts in Chautauqua County on a regular basis.

The state Health Department said in a recent news release that most overdose deaths in New York state now involve fentanyl while also warning the public about the presence in the drug supply of xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that can contribute to overdoses, particularly when it is combined with fentanyl or other opioids.

“Fentanyl has made street drugs far more dangerous. Even casual or occasional drug use can result in an overdose or death,” said outgoing state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett.

The path forward doesn’t need further study. It requires action.

First, the state has to put real money into drug treatment. Drug dealers are selling a dangerous product in our community because our collective addiction problem has created a lucrative market for their wares. And because there is such a market for drugs, including fentanyl, more and more dealers are entering the market. So it stands to reason doing more to help beat their addiction will help the situation.

Of course, the second thing the state should do is increase penalties on dealers — including making an arrest more than a temporary inconvenience. It’s telling that Bassett made a point of saying in her Dec. 9 news release that she carries nalaxone in case she come across someone who needs it. We’d prefer decreasing the supply of fentanyl in our community so people can’t get their hands on such a powerful, potentially deadly, drug. And when even low-level offenders are able to be charged, booked and released to be in court later, we’re not putting any crimp in the fentanyl suply in our neighborhoods.

Lastly, since fentanyl is largely coming from China and Mexico, President Joe Biden and Congress need to do more to strengthen the borders to keep more fentanyl from getting into the United States in the first place.

Our elected officials know what they need to do to slow the spread of fentanyl. Will they actually take action? Or just talk about it?