Last updated : March 24, 2025
Drug trafficking is a prime money maker for the cartels. They, undoubtedly, took full advantage of our open border policy these past four years. Now that the borders are locked down, it’s bound to slow their roll.
But will it come to a stop?
Our current administration is calling out the cartels and it’s sure to make an impact when we turn what they deem as a threat into action. Time will tell how it all plays out. In the meantime, we’ll keep hoping for the best case scenario.
Order up
The United States has had enough of the Cartel life. We want no further part of their methods of operation (MO). They continue to embed themselves deeper into prominent U.S. cities. Their MO includes assassination, terror, rape, brute force and, of course, the unacceptable number of overdose deaths largely attributed to drug trafficking.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14157 (EO 14157) into action. It designates “certain international cartels,” thereafter, referred to as “the Cartels” and other organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Moreover, EO 14157 stated that the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security are to “make operational preparations” necessary for President Trump to invoke the Alien Enemies Act and evict designated cartel members from our homeland.
Booyah to that! Can you imagine the day justice is finally served?
Tainted goods
Once the cartels hit on the fact that fentanyl is cheap to manufacture, they wasted no time in not only creating a product to smuggle into our country, but it’s being added to virtually every type of drug available on the black market. Even so-called “online pharmacies” are selling medications containing this dangerous synthetic opioid. It’s reportedly 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.
They see it as getting “more bang for their buck,” however, unknowing customers are ingesting these drugs and overdosing. Many don’t recover. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently reported that six out of 10 fake prescription pills were laced with a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
The report targeted drug trafficking and even called out specific cartels. DEA Administrator, Anne Milgram, said, “More than half of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills being trafficked in communities across the country now contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. This marks a dramatic increase – from four out of ten to six out of ten – in the number of pills that can kill. These pills are being mass-produced by the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel in Mexico.”
She concluded her statement with this advice, “Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed directly to you. Never take a pill from a friend. Never take a pill bought on social media. Just one pill is dangerous and one pill can kill.”
Have we had our fill?
The CDC just released a report this past Tuesday stating new data from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System predicts nearly a 24% decline in deaths due to overdose between September 2023 and September 2024. That equates to 27,000 fewer overdose deaths from the previous year. Perhaps people are finally beginning to realize the true danger of casual drug use and, hopefully, those with substance abuse issues are seeking help so they can stop.
Several factors play a part in the decrease. For instance, Naloxone is being distributed freely in many cities and counties across the nation. It’s a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Moreover, those suffering from substance abuse disorder are better able to access treatment. And, hopefully, there is about to be a huge shift in the availability of illicit drugs thanks to the fact that we shut down the borders. That definitely curbs drug trafficking. Once they round up the cartel members here in the United States, things are bound to improve even further.
Putting icing on the cake
There is still going to be much work to do but let’s keep moving forward. Overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44. And, while the number of overdose deaths is down overall, the following states saw overdose deaths increase:
- Alaska
- Montana
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- Utah
They say an ounce of intervention is worth a pound of cure. Continued efforts to inform our young people about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction provide them with the tools they need to make informed decisions. If they know, then perhaps they’ll say no when offered drugs for the first time—and every time afterward.
Employers who choose to drug test their employees also have opportunities to provide management training to help them spot possible drug use in the workplace. Also, keeping employees informed about the dangers associated with drug use may encourage someone struggling with substance abuse to seek help for their addiction.
We’ve recently had some true victories in the war against drugs. Now, we stay focused and keep charging ahead and someday—hopefully in the not too distant future—we will have the upper hand.
