DHS reveals plan to stop illegal opioids entering US.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Strategy to Combat Illicit Opioids

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to combat illicit ⁢opioids, particularly ‍fentanyl,⁣ which‍ has been ⁢a major driver of the overdose epidemic in the United States.

The⁣ DHS ⁣strategy aims to reduce the ‌supply of illicit opioids both domestically and internationally. It also focuses on ⁢targeting those who ‌enable opioid trafficking ⁣and collaborating⁢ with private industry ​to prevent illegal drug shipments.

“For​ more‌ than five years now, fentanyl has ‌been‍ causing⁣ so much loss of⁢ life and⁢ destruction in our communities,” ​said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

Secretary Mayorkas emphasized the commitment of the Department of Homeland Security, along with federal, state, and local partners, to combat ⁣this devastating⁣ issue and protect American communities from ​its impact.

The new guidelines will help ‍align intelligence ‌and​ field operations to keep fentanyl off the streets and bring cartels and criminal organizations to justice.

The DHS strategy leverages the expertise ​of Homeland Security​ Investigations (HSI) in ⁢investigating cross-border criminal activity. HSI’s access to customs and financial data plays a crucial role in‍ curbing the illegal shipment of drug precursor chemicals into the United​ States.

HSI Executive Associate‌ Director ‍Katrina Berger stated that the strategy ‌provides a framework ​for coordinating ⁣efforts, increasing⁣ targeted inspections, and ​collaborating‌ with partners to ⁣address the unprecedented ‌epidemic of deaths​ caused by illicit synthetic opioids.

The DHS has seized over 1.8 million pounds of narcotics and more than $5 billion in ⁢illicit currency and assets during ⁤fiscal ‍year 2022.

The⁤ DHS will continue to​ target supply chains responsible for foreign-origin shipments of illicit precursor chemicals used to produce drugs that⁤ fuel overdose deaths in the United States.

Synthetic Opioids Linked to Overdose Deaths

Synthetic​ opioids, particularly fentanyl, are the primary cause of⁢ overdose ⁣deaths in the United States, according⁤ to the U.S. Centers ‌for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Drug Enforcement Administration reported that fentanyl is involved in more⁣ deaths of Americans younger than 50 than any other cause, ‍including heart​ disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and accidents.

In the 12 months leading up to January 2022, there were ​71,238 reported deaths⁣ from‌ fentanyl poisoning, ⁣an increase from the previous year.

Experts ‌believe that‍ these numbers are significantly underreported, highlighting the urgent need for ‍action.

Enough illicit fentanyl is crossing the ​U.S. border to potentially kill every single American. In June alone, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized around 2,100 pounds of ‌illicit fentanyl at the southern border.

Donna​ Nelson, an organic chemist ​and professor at the University of Oklahoma, expressed concerns about the challenge of intercepting all illicit fentanyl entering the country.

“You ‌have to assume that the border agents are‍ not catching everything that’s coming into our country,” said Nelson.

The DHS’s strategy​ represents a bold and⁤ innovative approach ​to address the public health ‌emergency caused by the opioid crisis.‍ It aims to protect‍ American communities and save lives by combating the supply of illicit opioids and holding those responsible accountable.

Naveen Athrappully and Katie Spence contributed to this report.

How has the demand for illicit opioids, including fentanyl, changed since 2017 ⁣compared to the previous⁤ five years?

Pounds ​of illicit opioids, including fentanyl, since 2017, an increase of over 300% compared to the previous five‌ years. However, the demand for these illicit substances persists, leading to continued overdoses⁢ and deaths throughout the nation.

In response, the DHS strategy focuses on three key pillars: disrupting the illicit flow of opioids, ⁤targeting the infrastructure that supports the illicit drug trade, ⁤and supporting the recovery and resilience of communities affected by the opioid‌ crisis.

To disrupt the illicit flow of opioids, the DHS will enhance border security and increase collaboration⁤ with international partners ⁢to intercept and seize illicit⁢ drug shipments.​ This includes leveraging​ new technologies and intelligence-sharing to detect, ‍track, and interdict illicit opioids before they reach American ‌communities.

Additionally, the DHS ​will target‌ the infrastructure ‌that⁢ enables the illicit drug trade,⁢ including drug trafficking organizations, financial​ networks, and online platforms. By dismantling and disrupting these networks, the strategy aims ‍to ⁤make it harder for traffickers to operate and distribute illicit opioids.

Furthermore, the‌ DHS recognizes the importance of supporting‍ the recovery ⁣and resilience of communities​ impacted by the opioid crisis. The strategy includes efforts to expand⁣ access to evidence-based⁢ prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. ⁤It also emphasizes the importance of addressing the‌ underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute ⁢to substance abuse and addiction.

To implement ⁣this strategy ​effectively, the ⁣DHS will collaborate closely with federal, state, local, tribal, and ​territorial partners, as well as ‌private‍ industry and international stakeholders. Such collaboration will enable the sharing of information, expertise, and resources for a more comprehensive and coordinated response to the opioid crisis.

Secretary Mayorkas underscored the urgency of the situation, highlighting that⁤ “the opioid crisis has evolved and intensified, and our strategy must ‍evolve and intensify in response.” He expressed ‌a commitment to continuously⁢ evaluating and adapting‌ the strategy based on new challenges and‍ emerging threats.

In conclusion, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s comprehensive strategy to combat illicit opioids, ⁣particularly⁣ fentanyl, reflects a⁤ coordinated and multifaceted approach ⁤to address this devastating issue. By disrupting‍ the illicit flow of opioids, targeting the infrastructure that supports ‍the trade, and supporting affected communities, ‌the DHS aims to‍ reduce the⁢ human toll of the opioid⁣ crisis and protect​ American communities from its impact. ⁢Through collaboration with ​partners and continuous‌ evaluation, the DHS strives to stay ahead of evolving challenges and make a significant⁢ difference in ⁢the ⁣fight against illicit opioids.

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