DALLAS — The Drug Enforcement Administration has launched a new nationwide initiative aimed at curbing the fentanyl crisis, which killed nearly 50,000 people last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The effort, called Fentanyl Free America, combines heightened enforcement with a public awareness campaign intended to reduce both the supply of and demand for the synthetic opioid.
“Fentanyl is the most dangerous drug threat our nation has ever faced. It’s a silent killer, devastating families, tearing apart communities and claiming lives every day,” DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said.
As part of the campaign, the DEA is rolling out new educational materials and says it has expanded enforcement operations and intelligence efforts targeting major trafficking networks, including the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels. Officials say recent operations have forced some criminal groups to change their methods, including producing fentanyl pills with lower potency.
However, the DEA notes that the fentanyl fight is far from over and always evolving. DEA intelligence indicates a shift in cartel operations, with increased trafficking of fentanyl powder and domestic production of fentanyl pills. In October, authorities seized more than two dozen pill-press machines, underscoring the trend.
“We are making significant progress in this fight, and we must continue to intensify efforts to disrupt the fentanyl supply and reduce demand,” Cole said.
The agency has made free posters, radio spots, billboards and social media materials available as part of the initiative.
As of Dec. 1, 2025, the DEA reports seizing more than 45 million fentanyl pills and more than 9,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, representing an estimated 347 million potentially deadly doses.
