The United States has recorded a significant decrease in fatal overdose cases, with a year-over-year reduction of 14.5%, equivalent to about 14,000 lives, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This decline is partly attributed to the pressure exerted on drug trafficking cartels that manufacture fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in the country.
In December 2023, the United States announced the formation of a "strike force" against fentanyl trafficking in the country, utilizing resources from the Department of the Treasury and led by the Criminal Investigation Division and the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). The DEA praised the law enforcement efforts and mobilization of resources, particularly targeting the Mexican Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels.
Anne Milgram, DEA Administrator, emphasized that awareness of the risks of drug use has contributed to the decline in the number of fatal overdoses. She highlighted the commitment to ensure that Americans are aware that fentanyl can be lethal and that it is intentionally disguised in other substances. According to Milgram, pressure is being put on the criminal networks of the cartels, from the supply chain of chemical products in China to the traffickers in Mexico.
The latest CDC data shows a 14.5% reduction in overdose deaths in June, standing at approximately 97,000 cases, the lowest number in the past four years. Milgram expressed optimism regarding this downward trend: "There are reasons for hope," she concluded.
