DEA’s Third Annual National Family Summit on Fentanyl Highlights Progress in Fight to Save Lives

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, hosted its third annual National Family Summit on Fentanyl from November 14 to 15 in Washington, D.C. The summit brought together more than 120 families who lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning or overdose to work with the DEA in ongoing efforts to beat the fentanyl crisis.

Huge Decline in Overdose Deaths

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram was able to provide some encouraging updates for the nation as it relates to its efforts to combat fentanyl-related tragedies. For the first time since 2018, the United States saw a decline in drug overdose deaths. According to CDC reports, a 14.5 percent drop occurred in overdose deaths from June 2023 through June 2024 and equates to more than 14,000 lives saved.

Fentanyl potency decreases

Apart from the reduction in overdose-related deaths, for the first time since 2021, the DEA has witnessed a decline in the potency of the pills laced with fentanyl. The most recent tests performed at laboratories still show that 5 out of 10 pills in 2024 had a possibly lethal dose, down from 7 out of 10 in 2023 and 6 out of 10 in 2022. This, according to the present officials, is because of the pressure the law enforcement agencies have put on cartels, including but not limited to the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels.

Administrator Milgram's Comments

Administrator Milgram echoed the collective efforts that have helped positively move these trends. She mentioned law enforcement, public education about the danger of fentanyl, an uptick in access to Naloxone and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and the critical place of families in fostering awareness. "Our work is far from over, and DEA remains focused on destroying the criminal networks responsible for poisoning Americans," she added.

Faces of Fentanyl Exhibit and New Interactive Kiosk

Additionally, during the summit, the families participated in a dedication for the new interactive kiosk added to the Faces of Fentanyl exhibit. First launched in 2022, the exhibit honors lives lost to fentanyl with more than 6,100 photographs provided by the families. The new interactive kiosk details the dangers of illicit fentanyl and counterfeit pills. The exhibit is open to the public for viewing at DEA Headquarters, Arlington, Virginia.

Introduction of the Together For Families Network

The DEA also announced the formation of the Together For Families (TFF) Network. This initiative seeks to create a network that consists of national and community-based organizations committed to drug misuse prevention, connecting people with treatment, supporting recovery, and providing resources to families who have been impacted by drug poisoning or overdose. To learn more about TFF and its membership, visit www.dea.gov/togetherforfamilies.

Continued Commitment to Combating the Fentanyl Crisis

These sustained efforts by the DEA, together with families, public safety, public health, and community partners, reflect a committed strategy in the fight against the fentanyl crisis. While these decreases in overdose deaths and the potency of fentanyl are hopeful indicators, the DEA recognizes that much work lies ahead. The agency remains steadfast in disrupting and dismantling the criminal organizations fueling the epidemic.

Resources for Families and Individuals

•    For parents looking to have a conversation with their children about the dangers of drugs, please see the Get Smart About Drugs website.
•    If you or someone you know has a problem with substance use or a mental health disorder, find resources on the DEA's Recovery Resources page.

Reference:

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 2024. DEA hosts third annual National Family Summit on Fentanyl; announces decrease in overdose deaths, and in potency of fentanyl pills seized. Retrieved fromhttps://www.dea.gov/press-releases