The discussion surrounding fentanyl and synthetic drugs emphasizes their complex connections to global security, politics, and public health challenges as illustrated by one of the first executive orders of President Trump on February 1, 2025.
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, became a central issue already during the first Trump administration, particularly in trade negotiations with China, which was highlighted as a significant source of precursors for manufacturing the drug. President Trump argued that these concerns should shape tariff policies against China, Mexico, and Canada. He accused China of being a primary supplier of fentanyl precursors and responded by threatening tariffs on Chinese goods. In 2019, this pressure led China to agree to classify fentanyl-related substances as controlled drugs, underscoring the chemical’s import in bilateral relations. An empirical example of this is the 2018 indictments by the U.S. Department of Justice against several Chinese nationals and companies for allegedly shipping fentanyl precursors to the U.S. Despite China’s tightened regulations, the role of Mexico has evolved into a major transit and production hub for fentanyl, utilizing Chinese precursors, while Canada has faced scrutiny for its much more limited involvement in the illicit fentanyl trade.
In recent years heroin production in Afghanistan has declined following the Taliban’s return to power according the the UNODC World Drugs report 2024. This has changed the overall picture drastically.
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2024.html
The rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl is directly linked to their cost-effectiveness and the relative ease of their production compared to traditional opiates like heroin.
The early warnings about synthetic drugs, including fentanyl, were echoed as far back as the late 1990s. In Sweden, fentanyl-related deaths began to rise in the early 2000s, highlighting the growing concern among health officials and provoking the first question in the Swedish Parliament in 2002. The first Swedish EU Commissioner Anita Gradin warned already in the late 90´s about the rise in synthetic drugs. The increase in synthetic drug use globally, particularly in North America and Europe, has escalated into a significant public health crisis.
Moreover, the drug trade is intertwined with organized crime, terrorism and corruption – with devastating consequences, including for Sweden. Drug trafficking generates massive profits, which often finance various forms of criminal activity, from human trafficking to arms smuggling. The Dark Net, not least in Russia has facilitated illicit trade – with one particularly known court case in Russia leading to life imprisonment.
Drug cartels, particularly in Mexico, have diversified their operations, further entrenching corruption and undermining the rule of law.
The European Union has officially recognized drug trafficking as a considerable threat to security, with links to terrorism and organized crime. See
Opioids: a new drug threat for Europe
The increase in the manufacture and use of highly-addictive synthetic opioids is a global challenge. The EU is taking action to curb this global affliction on society.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/opioids-drugs-heroin/
In the context of the U.S., there has been increasing bipartisan attention on the fentanyl crisis, which resulted in over 70,000 overdose deaths linked to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl in 2021. Both the first Trump and Biden administrations took significant steps to tackle the crisis, including expanding funding for addiction treatment programs and imposing stricter controls on borders to prevent the influx of illicit drugs.
The EU has played a supportive role in the efforts of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC to reduce both drug supply and demand.
The EU’s Drugs Strategy for 2021-2025 reflects this commitment by aiming to tackle drug trafficking and its connections to organized crime.
Conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, have created environments conducive to drug trafficking, often sustaining armed groups and complicating recovery efforts post-conflict. The challenges faced in controlling drug production and trafficking are substantial, as many precursor chemicals used in synthetic drug production are dual-use materials utilized in legitimate industries.
The private sector has also been recognizing its essential role in combating drug trafficking by ensuring that their supply chains do not contribute to illicit activities. Pharmaceutical companies, in collaboration with governments, have begun initiatives to track and regulate the distribution of precursor chemicals.
There are no simplistic solutions to the multifaceted drug problem. Strategies must encompass a combination of public health initiatives, law enforcement, international collaboration, and addressing underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to drug abuse. Portugal’s decriminalization of drug use, coupled with a focus on harm reduction, illustrates one approach in reducing overdose deaths and HIV transmission, though it demonstrates that one size does not fit all in addressing global drug issues.
In summary, the challenges posed by fentanyl and synthetic drugs present significant implications for global health, security, and governance, necessitating sustained international cooperation and comprehensive policy innovation to effectively combat these pressing issues.