The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), providing a comprehensive strategic assessment of illicit drug threats and trafficking trends across the nation.
According to a DEA press release, the report discloses that drugs claimed the lives of 107,941 Americans in 2022, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were responsible for approximately 70% of these fatalities, while methamphetamine and other synthetic stimulants accounted for the remaining 30%.
The press release further underscores that fentanyl continues to be the most significant drug threat in the United States. The DEA considers two milligrams (mg) of fentanyl as a potentially lethal dose. Pills examined by the DEA average 2.4 mg, but some contain up to 9 mg of fentanyl. The report also highlights that seizures of fentanyl—both in powder and pill form—have doubled over the past two years. In 2023 alone, the DEA reported seizing 13,176 kilograms (29,048 pounds) of fentanyl.
In another highlight from the press release, it was noted that in 2023, the DEA’s El Paso Intelligence Center recorded 60 U.S.-based methamphetamine clandestine lab seizures. This represents a significant decrease compared to 2004 when there were as many as 23,700 labs seized. However, as indicated by the report, most methamphetamine sold in America today is sourced from Mexico.
The press release also reveals that the report examines cartel activities and their operational methods. The DEA stated that digital technology—particularly social media and encrypted apps—has enabled cartels to infiltrate almost all communities within the United States and approximately 50 countries worldwide. Leveraging technology allows cartels to market their products virtually, collect payments, recruit and train couriers, and deliver drugs to customers. The report also highlights the profitable partnerships that cartels have formed with Chinese precursor chemical companies to procure ingredients for synthetic drug production and with money laundering organizations to move drug proceeds, often in the form of cryptocurrency.
