The U.S. Fentanyl Crisis: What to Know
2021
This brief from the Council on Foreign Relations focuses on the United States fentanyl crisis. In 2020, opioid-related overdose deaths increased from 50,000 to 70,000; more than 80 percent of these deaths are attributable to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The brief provides information on the sources of fentanyl production, compares trends with other countries, discusses the U.S. response, and explains the scale of the crisis. In September 2021, The Biden administration classified all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 drugs, a category reserved for drugs that pose the highest risk for abuse and dependence. The administration also plans to invest tens of billions of dollars to support law enforcement efforts and expand prevention and treatment services.
The U.S. Fentanyl Crisis: What to Know
Source:
Klobucista C. The U.S. Fentanyl Crisis: What to Know. Council on Foreign Relations 2021. https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/us-fentanyl-crisis-what-know.