When Reagan announced the war on drugs in the beginning of his presidency in 1981, the United States and the world felt it could be won. El Chapo was arrested in the 90’s along with Pablo Escabar, a big win for the federal government and a blow to the drug market, or so they thought.
The United States is hitting its 4th wave of the fentanyl crisis. In 2023, the U.S. recorded over 100,000 overdose deaths, 66% of the deaths were fentanyl. In the world, there have been over 600,000 deaths so far this year, 33% of those fentanyl and opioids. The WHO estimates that over 39.5 million people live with a fentanyl/opioid addiction every year.
As we know, most of the Fentanyl obtained in the United States is trafficked from cartels in Mexico. Fentanyl and opioids also contain chemicals that are sourced from China. The growth of drug use has grown over 80% over the past decade, it seems like a lost battle. How can we cope and fight back?
The first step is attacking the chemicals. The Chemical is obtained illegally on the black market, which can be difficult to track and obtain, but preventing it from getting into the wrong hands can be easier. Working with the Chinese government to sanction the chemicals from being sold outside of moving it from labs should be the first step. We should also work with the Chinese to come up with better logging systems to keep track of the chemical. These practices should be translated to all labs and hospitals worldwide.
The next is expanding our task forces. Outside the United States and Europe, drug task forces are small. By working with the United Nations to expand funding for drug task forces in developing countries and working with developed nations on best practices and training can make a dent. Task forces need to move their focus to airports and ports. Over 90% of all drugs are moved via airplanes, and about 8% moved via ships. By expanding TSA’s role and Homeland security equivalents in other nations to deal with airports will likely catch large batches of fentanyl and opioids moving over borders.
The next step is putting focus on doctors and hospitals. There needs to be increased regulation on the drugs that are prescribed to patients for pain related injuries. For example, any limb that is sprained or broken should not be prescribed fentanyl or opioids. The injury is painful but can be dealt with with lower dosage pain medicines. But for more painful injuries like internal, spinal or neck can be treated starting off with low doses of Fentanyl and increase depending on the patient’s pain level.
The last is education. Programs that teach kids and young adults the risks of addiction are important. Our programs today tend to target young age groups of 10-12 and tend to miss the groups of 15-21. Expanded health programs in schools, police officers and DEA engagement with communities and schools can help prevent young adults from getting their hands on illegal drugs.
The war is still being waged. But we have been looking at it the wrong way. Finding new techniques, expanding outreach and multilateral partnership can save millions of lives.
Author: Joshua Cheatham
