This silent killer 2mg tablet declared Weapon of Mass Destruction, claims 300,000 lives annually
WASHINGTON (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. He said the synthetic opioid poses a serious threat to US national security and will intensify action against its illegal trade.
Donald Trump said, "Today I am signing a historic order that will designate fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. No bomb can cause as much harm as this drug." He explained that the number of deaths from fentanyl is far higher than official figures. He estimates that 200,000 to 300,000 people die each year due to this drug, devastating American families.
Trump said that America's enemy countries are deliberately smuggling fentanyl. He said that the intention behind sending fentanyl to America is to harm Americans. Trump presented the seizure of large quantities of drugs as evidence of progress. He said, "In May, we seized the largest haul of fentanyl in American history, confiscating three million fentanyl pills in one go." Additionally, 1.7 million pills were seized in Colorado last month. According to Trump, the amount of fentanyl coming across the border has decreased by about 50 percent. He said that China is also working closely with the US in this matter.
He also clarified that fentanyl has limited medical uses, but its illegal production and mixing with other substances has made it extremely lethal. He said the same process is underway in Mexico. This order was issued in conjunction with other decisions related to border security and national security. Trump described the drug mafia as a direct military threat to the United States.
The fentanyl crisis has become one of the most serious health emergencies in recent US history. Overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids have risen sharply over the past decade. Many governments are struggling to address this problem. India is also closely monitoring international efforts to combat such substances and is collaborating with the US and other countries to combat drug trafficking.