The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States warned that the fentanylcan defeat terrorism as the top threat to national security by 2024. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is more powerful than heroin. It has become an epidemic in the United States, where fentanyl overdose deaths are increasing at an alarming rate.
DHS believes that fentanyl poses a major threat to national security because it is a cheap and easy-to-produce drug. In addition, it is very easy to transport and distribute, which makes it ideal for drug trafficking.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, there will be 107,622 fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States. This represents an increase of 23.6% compared to 2021. The CDC estimates that there are between 2 and 3 million fentanyl addicts in the United States. In the first six months of 2023, there will be an estimated 50,514 fentanyl overdose deaths.. This represents an increase of 20.7% compared to the same period in 2022.
An issue that arose only after the death of the actor Austin Majors, at the age of 27, in February, but the reasons for this are unknown. However, the autopsy and the police report revealed that the performer could not overcome his drug addiction. In fact, months later, the worst suspicions were confirmed: the performer died of a fentanyl overdose.
With immigration, the big problem in the United States
“The complex border security and migration challenges we faced last year are likely to continue. In addition to the challenges of migration, the trend of increased supply of fentanyl and changes in its production last year that increased the death rate is expected to continue. “explained the US government in its report titled National Threat Assessment 2024.
It is emphasized that, although the southern border remains the main destination for migrants, the northern border has also reached “record levels.” In June, more than 132,000 people arrived in this region, compared to 68,000 last year. Regarding migration through the Caribbean, the numbers reached a record in January, with 5,677 migrants from Cuba and Haiti.
The text says that “migrants will continue to come to the United States as long as they continue to face difficult economic, political, security and environmental conditions in their countries of origin.”
