DEA steps up fight against fentanyl by targeting cartels with distribution in both Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois
MISSOURI, (KBSI) – The street drug fentanyl also known as the silent killer is now the leading cause in overdose deaths in America.
According to the St. Louis field division, DEA(Drug Enforcement Administration) between Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois, fentanyl seizures account for the removal of more than 20 million potentially fatal doses.
Federal and state law enforcement agencies say that they are stepping up efforts to combat Missouri’s growing fentanyl crisis through a new initiative aimed at cutting off the deadly drug at the source.
According to the University of Missouri St. Louis addiction science team and the DEA fentanyl continues to be the main driver of overdose deaths in the state. Previously the primary substance causing the most deaths in Missouri was prescription opioids. That has dramatically shifted to fentanyl being the leading cause of deaths. According to recent data fentanyl was involved in almost every opioid overdose related death.
Special Agent Mike Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration of St. Louis says this is why they have become laser focused on getting the drug out of the state. Classified as the deadliest street drug because of its extreme potency, 50 times more potent than heroin. An added risk Davis says is that drug distributers or dealers are mixing other street drugs with fentanyl.
“Fentanyl it’s so deadly, you only need a small amount for it to be deadly” says Davis. “So, it is the primary driver of the overdose deaths and this drug crisis that we’re in. So that’s why we’re going after it, and the fentanyl is being mixed in with the other illicit drugs, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, it has pretty much replaced heroin altogether. So, it’s the primary culprit.”
Agent Davis shares that although they have seized an extremely large amount of fentanyl, they seize more methamphetamine than anything, the difference is fentanyl is a lot deadlier.
“In Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri, you know, the drugs are coming from the CJNG artel and the Sinaloa cartel. So, we’re focused on them” says Davis.
This is why the DEA has launched a statewide initiative called ‘Fentanyl Free America initiative’, which is a comprehensive enforcement initiative, and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing the supply and the availability of illicit fentanyl. The campaign is run off funding approving by the Trump administration in 2018, and although Agent Davis says they have seen a decrease in street fentanyl they can’t do it alone.
“Enforcement alone can’t get us out of this crisis, this drug crisis that we that we have. So that’s why we’re putting a lot of focus on, the education part of it, education and awareness” says Davis.
Davis encourages parents to be in the know and discuss the lethal drug with their teens, and schools to provide education and pamphlets on fentanyl. Pamphlets and education resources are available through multiple websites created through the initiative.
“Community and parents can definitely engage with their young adults, teens and your small kids. So, you know, once they get of age and basically educate them about the dangers and we provide resources” says Davis.
For resources on Fentanyl education:
DEA Launches Fentanyl Free America Initiative to Combat the Synthetic Drug Crisis
