Felbab-Brown (2023) Flashcards
Describe the drug epidemic currently taking place in America ?
The United States is experiencing the deadliest drug epidemic in its history, with over 100,000 Americans dying from overdoses between August 2021 and August 2022 alone.
The majority of these overdoses involve fentanyl, which is responsible for around 200 American deaths per day.
What is the US government doing against this crisis ?
The U.S. government is taking measures to address the crisis, including deploying law enforcement to target fentanyl dealers and implementing prevention and treatment strategies.
However, the continued growth of the fentanyl epidemic indicates that these measures alone are insufficient.
Where does the fentanyl found in America come from ?
All fentanyl used in the United States is produced abroad, emphasizing the importance of stemming the flow of the drug into the country.
Geopolitical obstacles hinder efforts to control the supply channels, with most of the world’s fentanyl and precursor chemicals originating from China and Mexico.
Cooperation with China in law enforcement has diminished, and China views counternarcotics collaboration through the lens of its rivalry with the United States.
In Mexico, the collapse of the rule of law extends beyond the drug war, with cartels exerting influence over various sectors of the economy.
Therefore, efforts to stabilize the situation in Mexico face challenges, and the Mexican government’s approach to cooperation with U.S. law enforcement has been limited and intermittent.
Why are restrictions so difficult to apply in the case of fentanyl ?
Supply-side efforts have faced challenges, as synthetic opioids like fentanyl can be produced from chemicals with legitimate commercial uses, making restrictions difficult.
