The Fentanyl Crisis: A Global Problem
The Fentanyl Crisis in the U.S.
Fentanyl is a man-made drug first approved in the 1960s as a painkiller but is now the leading cause of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. In 2023, more than 74,000 Americans died after taking drugs mixed with fentanyl, according to the CDC. Many users do not know fentanyl is in their drugs. A tiny amount (as small as a pencil tip) can be deadly.
Over the past ten years, the global fentanyl trade has grown, making it harder for governments to stop it. China is the main supplier of the chemicals used to produce fentanyl.
Who Makes Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is made legally by pharmaceutical companies in the U.S., Belgium, China, and India for medical purposes. Illicit fentanyl is mostly produced in Mexico using chemicals from China and India. While it is a critical painkiller in medicine, it is also responsible for a major drug crisis due to illegal production and abuse.
The drug is very powerful and requires tiny doses. Even inhaling miniscule amounts of fentanyl powder into the nose or lungs can lead to symptoms of overdose.
Most Fentanyl Enters The US Through Mexico
Since September, U.S. border officials have seized 4,500 pounds (2,040 kg) of fentanyl. Almost all (98%) was found at the U.S.-Mexico border, while less than 1% was seized at the Canadian border.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) says Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, produce fentanyl using chemicals from China. The drugs are then smuggled into the U.S. Cartels hide shipments by disguising them as legal products or using fake businesses.
China’s Role in the Fentanyl Trade
In 2019, China made fentanyl a controlled substance and later added some fentanyl-related chemicals to its banned list. However, criminals still find ways to work around the laws.
U.S. investigations have shown that some Chinese companies sell chemicals knowing they will be used to make fentanyl. These companies communicate with buyers through encrypted messages and accept cryptocurrency payments.
China says it has some of the world’s strictest drug laws and has worked with the U.S. to stop illegal drug trade in the past. However, U.S. officials say China needs to do more.
Canada’s Role in the Fentanyl Trade
Trump has also blamed Canada for allowing fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the U.S. However, U.S. border data shows that only 0.2% of fentanyl seizures happen at the Canadian border—almost all come from Mexico.
Even so, Canada’s financial agency says Canadian criminal groups are importing fentanyl ingredients and lab equipment from China.
Fentanyl moves in both directions between the U.S. and Canada. In early 2024, Canada seized 10.8 pounds (4.9 kg) of fentanyl coming from the U.S., while U.S. authorities found 32.1 pounds (14.6 kg) coming from Canada.
United Kingdom:
The UK has seen a sharp rise in opioid-related deaths over the years. Since 1993, deaths from opiate poisoning in England and Wales have increased by 388%. While fentanyl abuse is not as severe as in the U.S., it is a growing concern.
English-Speaking Caribbean:
There is little data on fentanyl addiction in the English-speaking Caribbean, but the region is vulnerable because it lies along drug trafficking routes.
Conclusion:
The fentanyl crisis is a global problem, and it requires a collaborative effort to address it. Governments, healthcare providers, and individuals must work together to prevent the production and distribution of fentanyl and to provide support to those affected by it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a man-made drug that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. - How many people have died from fentanyl overdoses in the U.S.?
More than 74,000 Americans died after taking drugs mixed with fentanyl in 2023, according to the CDC. - What is the main supplier of the chemicals used to produce fentanyl?
China is the main supplier of the chemicals used to produce fentanyl. - How does fentanyl enter the U.S.?
Most fentanyl enters the U.S. through Mexico, with the majority being seized at the U.S.-Mexico border. - What is being done to address the fentanyl crisis?
Governments, healthcare providers, and individuals are working together to prevent the production and distribution of fentanyl and to provide support to those affected by it.