WASHINGTON — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released its 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) this week, offering a detailed look at the evolving dangers of the illicit drug trade in the United States, including the rise of synthetic drug cocktails and continued threats posed by powerful transnational criminal organizations.
The annual report, a key tool for lawmakers, law enforcement, and public health officials, outlines both progress and persistent challenges in the fight against drug trafficking and overdose deaths.
“This year’s report indicates progress in the fight against fentanyl and also outlines the increasing challenges we face with the changing landscape of the synthetic drug crisis,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “The adulterating of fentanyl with highly potent, dangerous chemicals reminds us that this fight is far from over.”
Among the report’s key findings:
- Overdose deaths dropped by more than 20% in 2024, marking 11 consecutive months of decline, according to CDC data. Despite this progress, more than 80,000 Americans still died from drug poisonings last year.
- Fentanyl remains a major threat, with DEA labs reporting decreasing purity levels—but increased contamination with substances like xylazine and the emerging veterinary anesthetic medetomidine, making street drugs more unpredictable and deadly.
- Polydrug use is rising. One in four cocaine samples and one in eight methamphetamine samples contained fentanyl, according to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System.
- Youth marijuana use remains high, with over 4 million adolescents and young adults (ages 12-20) reporting vaping marijuana in the past year.
- Chinese transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) continue to dominate the domestic marijuana trade, growing high-potency cannabis in U.S. states where marijuana is legal, with THC levels averaging 25-30%.
The assessment also highlights the continued influence of major criminal syndicates, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), some of which have been designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
The full 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment is available here.
