“Fentanyl Epidemic” in the U.S. Reaches Record Scale

The scale of the “fentanyl epidemic” in the United States has reached record levels, surpassing the heroin crisis of the 1990s. According to reports, today in major cities one out of every thousand residents dies from drugs, with fentanyl accounting for more than 80% of those deaths.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and considered one of the most powerful narcotics. Its effect is estimated to be 50 times stronger than heroin, with a lethal dose of only about 2 milligrams. Its low cost has fueled rapid spread, making it accessible to large segments of the population.

In American cities, thousands of people can be seen in severe states of addiction. Districts with high concentrations of users have turned into zones of social collapse, where many live in so-called “zombie-like” conditions.

In July 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order tightening the fight against fentanyl trafficking. The document reinforced its status as an especially dangerous drug and introduced tougher measures against distributors. However, despite these steps, the number of addicts continues to grow, with mortality hitting new record highs.

Experts stress that the crisis is complex. It stems not only from smuggling and illegal distribution, but also from social factors such as unemployment, poverty, and lack of accessible treatment programs. The situation is increasingly described as a national catastrophe requiring urgent and large-scale solutions.