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Some people might be surprised to find the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18 to 45 is not heart disease, cancer, motor vehicle accidents, or COVID-19—it is fentanyl. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans in this age bracket, and it’s only getting worse. Fentanyl is highly addictive and creates large profit margins for those involved in the manufacturing and dealing of the synthetic opioid. The world’s largest source of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues is China.
A mere 2 milligrams of fentanyl make up a lethal dose for most people—the equivalent to a few grains of salt. Fentanyl is cheaper to make than other opioids, easier to smuggle over borders because of its power in small quantities, and highly addictive. This creates a sizeable business model for the drug ring and a perfect storm for users who can easily get addicted to this lethal drug.
While we continue to work to address the crisis at our southern border and the drug addiction that is sweeping through our communities, it’s important we cut the lethal fentanyl engine off at its source: China. The precursor chemicals making up the essential ingredients of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances is from China.
