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DEA Report Blames Synthetic Opioids as Number One Killer

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]ccording to a Nov. 2 press release, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, which outlines the drugs that pose the biggest public health threats. The report highlighted the devastation caused by synthetic opioids, which are far more deadly than any other class of drugs.

Synthetic opioids were responsible for nearly 30,000 overdose deaths last year—and furthermore, the report found that synthetic opioid use fuels heroin production in Mexico. “The opioid threat—including controlled prescription drugs, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and heroin—has had a devastating effect on our country,” the report reads.

Since 2001, synthetic opioids remain the drug most responsible for overdose deaths in the United States. Of all opioids, fentanyl was named the most dangerous drug. DEA officials stressed that all available tools must be utilized in curbing the rampant opioid crisis.

“This report underscores the scope and magnitude of the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States,” stated Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “The information in the report represents data and critical intelligence from our law enforcement partners that was gathered over the past year. This report highlights the necessity of using all the tools at our disposal to fight this epidemic, and we must remain steadfast in our mission to combat all dangerous drugs of abuse.”

The report lists several ways in which the opioid crisis is being tackled. The Department of Justice (DOJ), for instance, recently created the Transnational Organized Crime Task Force. The DOJ and the DEA teamed up to launch Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, which will focus on opioid wholesalers and international organized crime. The operation will battle MS-13, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, the Sinaloa Cartel, Clan del Golfo and Lebanese Hezbollah, which were all named in the assessment.

The report also mentioned cannabis, but most of the attention surrounded the rise of cannabis that grown in legal states, but diverted to illicit markets. It also highlighted the “devastation” to wildlife habitats that is caused by illegal cannabis cultivation.

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