Congressional Affairs
DEA Launches Fentanyl Free America Initiative to Combat the Synthetic Drug Crisis
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is intensifying its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of Fentanyl Free America, a comprehensive enforcement initiative and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for fentanyl. This effort underscores DEA's unwavering commitment to protecting American lives and communities from the devastating impacts of fentanyl, which claimed nearly 50,000 lives last year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Are Nitazenes?
Nitazenes are synthetic opioids similar to fentanyl but can match or surpass the potency of fentanyl. They were first developed in the 1950s for pharmaceutical research and were never approved for use in the United States or any other country. Many nitazenes are listed under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of the United States, and three – isotonitazene, metonitazene, and protonitazene – have also been placed under international control.
* 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose
DEA Fentanyl Seizures in 2025
In 2024, DEA seized more than 60 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2024 seizures are equivalent to more than 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl.
The 2025 fentanyl seizures represent over 347 million deadly doses. *
updated: December 1, 2025
The 2025 fentanyl seizures represent over 347 million deadly doses. *
updated: December 1, 2025
Millions of Fentanyl Pills Seized
+ 45200000
Pounds of Fentanyl Powder Seized
+ lbs. 9321
* 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose
Statements for the Record
February 1, 2023 - Statement of Associate Administrator Jon DeLena - Lives Worth Living: Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis, Protecting Critical Lifelines, and Combatting Discrimination Against Those with Disabilities
February 15, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Countering Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking
April 27, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Drug Enforcement Administration
May 10, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Requests for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
June 21, 2023 - Statement of Matthew J. Strait Deputy Assistant Administrator Diversion Control Division - Responding to America's Overdose Crisis: An Examination of Legislation to Build Upon the SUPPORT Act
July 12, 2023 - Statement of Kemp L. Chester Senior Advisor, Office of National Drug Control Policy Committee on Homeland Security - Leading the Strategic Response to Disrupt the Flow of Illicit Fentanyl Across Our Borders
July 27, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Drug Enforcement Administration Oversight
October 24, 2023 - Statement of William F. Kimbell Chief of Operations Drug Enforcement Administration - Hearing Entitled, “TBD”
March 20, 2024 - Testimony of James Dunlap Deputy Under Secretary for Analysis Office of Intelligence and Analysis U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Examining the Current Status of Iran’s Axis of Resistance and the Implications for Homeland Security and U.S. Interests
April 30, 2024 - Statement of William F. Kimbell Chief of Operations Drug Enforcement Administration - Hearing Entitled, “TBD”
May 7, 2024 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Drug Enforcement Administration