The United States is facing a serious problem with fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic drugs. Experts believe that if the government wants to tackle this crisis, it needs to step up its efforts against every part of the drug trade, from manufacturing to distribution. Unfortunately, as time goes by, the situation is becoming more complicated because drug traffickers are getting smarter and more organized.
A Tragic Toll
Last year, over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, with more than 70,000 of those deaths caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even though the government has spent billions on addiction treatment, many experts argue that it’s not enough because these drugs are so widely available. They believe that the supply of fentanyl needs to be drastically reduced to make a real difference.
How Fentanyl Enters the U.S.
Most illegal fentanyl comes into the United States from Mexico, where it’s made using chemicals that are often shipped from China. The drug is then pressed into pills that can look like common prescription medications like Xanax or Adderall, tricking users into thinking they’re taking something safe.
Experts are skeptical about the Chinese government’s efforts to control the export of these chemicals. They believe that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using drugs as a way to harm the United States strategically. Derek Maltz, a former head of special operations at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), emphasized that this isn’t just a drug issue; it’s a serious threat to national security.
China’s Role in the Drug Trade
A recent report from the House Select Committee on the CCP detailed how China is involved in every step of fentanyl trafficking. Chinese companies create the chemicals needed to make fentanyl, ship them to Mexico, and provide the machines that make counterfeit pills. Additionally, Chinese organized crime helps the Mexican cartels move the money made from selling these drugs back to Mexico.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have pushed China to tighten its regulations on fentanyl, but experts say these measures lack real power. As long as drug producers can evade law enforcement, they will keep making these dangerous drugs.
Even though the Biden administration claims that China has shut down some websites and online shops selling these chemicals, experts warn that a significant supply of these substances remains.
The Growing Threat of New Drugs
The crisis is worsening, with cartels now introducing even more potent drugs like xylazine, which can cause severe damage to the body and cannot be treated with the usual overdose reversal drug, naloxone. This means the fentanyl crisis is like a serious illness that is already in its advanced stages.
Michael Brown, a former DEA agent, believes that while there are still opportunities to cut off the supply of fentanyl precursors, the drug labs are getting more advanced. If cartels learn to create these chemicals from everyday substances, it will be much harder to stop them.
Pressure on China and Mexico
Experts suggest that the U.S. needs to realize it doesn’t have trustworthy partners in the Chinese and Mexican governments. The CCP seems to use the fentanyl crisis as leverage in negotiations with the U.S. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities are thought to be heavily influenced by drug cartels.
To combat this problem effectively, experts argue that the U.S. must take bold actions quickly. The government should consider designating the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, treating them as seriously as groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda. By doing this, the U.S. could use military resources to target the labs where fentanyl is made.
Securing the Border
One major issue is that the U.S. border is not secure, allowing drugs to flow in easily. When border patrol agents are busy processing people crossing the border illegally, it creates an opening for drugs to slip through unnoticed.
Experts recommend that the government increase border enforcement to discourage illegal crossings and drug trafficking. In the past, strict penalties made people think twice before trying to enter the U.S. illegally.
Targeting Drug Dealers
There are ongoing discussions about whether to impose the death penalty on drug traffickers, but it’s also suggested that dealers could be charged with murder if their drugs cause someone’s death. While some states already have laws for drug-induced homicide, proving that a particular dealer caused an overdose can be challenging. Many drug users get their substances from various sources, making it hard to trace the origin of the deadly drugs.
Following the Money Trail
In recent years, Chinese criminal groups have been helping Mexican cartels launder their money from drug sales. This method allows money to move without physically crossing borders, which keeps the operation secure. The CCP could crack down on these operations but rarely does, as organized crime often works closely with the government.
New Strategies to Combat the Crisis
To tackle the crisis, experts suggest that the U.S. should focus on intercepting suspicious shipments of chemicals coming from China to Mexico before they reach drug cartels. Many of these shipments come through Alaska, giving authorities a chance to check them.
Using technology and artificial intelligence can help identify suspicious patterns in shipping, making it easier to catch illegal shipments without violating anyone’s rights. Customs officials could check a certain percentage of parcels to create a deterrent effect.
Additionally, more aggressive tactics could target cartel labs directly, destroying the facilities that produce fentanyl. Experts believe that this would significantly disrupt the drug supply chain.
Time for Action
The fentanyl crisis is a major public health issue, and experts are urging the U.S. government to take stronger action against drug trafficking. If these steps aren’t taken quickly, the future looks grim. With hundreds of thousands of lives at stake, it’s crucial for the U.S. to tackle this issue head-on before it spirals further out of control.
