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The opioid crisis is evolving from one where new addiction was formed primarily from prescription drugs, to one where more first exposure is through illicit drugs like fentanyl. Much of it comes through the mail in small packages that are hard to detect cbsnews.com/news/deadly-fe…
At FDA we shifted resources into this evolving mission, recognizing that the drug addiction crisis was changing. As more new addiction shifts to use of super-potent fentanyl, we risk that overdose deaths will rise as a result of these deadly formulations fda.gov/news-events/pr…
Even though total overdose deaths in the U.S. fell this year, the number of deaths spiked on the West Coast; where the growing popularity of fentanyl-cocaine combinations (speedballs) and fentanyl-methamphetamine combos (goofballs) is driving overdoses. cnbc.com/2019/08/21/dec…
FDA sought and received substantial new resources to step up its activities in the International Mail Facilities, where it assists CBP and USPS. Those agencies have primary jurisdiction over any controlled substances coming in illegally through the mail. statnews.com/2018/03/06/fda…
WashPost: FDA to step up targeting of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids at postal facilities washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-h…
The $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in 2018 set aside $94 million so the FDA can increase inspections of the some 2.4 million packages shipped into the U.S. every day. cleveland.com/metro/2018/03/…
Ultimately as the opioid crisis shifts from one formed by prescription drugs to one thats driven by illicit drugs and especially fentanyl; we need to make sure our public health response meets these new challenges. We have to recognize that the nature of the epidemic is changing.
