DEA Launches “Fentanyl Free America” to Combat Opioid Crisis

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has launched a nationwide initiative, Fentanyl Free America, as part of an intensified effort to curb the devastating impact of synthetic opioids in the United States. The campaign combines expanded enforcement operations with a large-scale public awareness push aimed at both cutting off the supply and reducing the demand for fentanyl.

This initiative comes in response to the growing threat posed by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and involved in tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year. According to the DEA, traffickers often press the drug into counterfeit pills or mix it with other substances—making it even more dangerous, especially for those who don’t realize what they’re taking.

Through stepped-up investigations and global intelligence efforts, the DEA is placing significant pressure on the international drug networks responsible for flooding U.S. communities with fentanyl. These efforts, the agency says, are already forcing criminal organizations to shift their operations.

As of December 1, 2025, the DEA reports it has seized more than 45 million fentanyl-laced pills and over 9,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, enough to eliminate an estimated 347 million potentially deadly doses from circulation.

“Fentanyl Free America represents DEA’s unwavering commitment to save American lives and end the fentanyl crisis,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “DEA is striking harder and evolving faster to dismantle the foreign terrorists fueling this crisis, while empowering all our partners to join the fight to prevent fentanyl-related tragedies. Together, we can achieve a fentanyl free America and create a safer future for generations to come.”

The Fentanyl Free America initiative also includes expanded partnerships with schools, community organizations, and health professionals to educate the public—especially teens and young adults—about the dangers of fentanyl. The DEA warns that just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, and many users may be unaware that the drug is present in what they believe are legitimate medications.

Fentanyl continues to be a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S., with synthetic opioids responsible for more than 70,000 fatalities in 2024, according to CDC data.

In addition to enforcement, the DEA’s new strategy emphasizes early intervention and prevention. The agency is distributing educational materials and working with local coalitions to bring real stories of loss, survival, and recovery to the forefront of the conversation.

With Fentanyl Free America, the DEA hopes to shift both public perception and behavior, encouraging individuals to avoid street drugs and helping communities build resilience against the synthetic opioid crisis.

For more information, resources, and updates on the campaign, the DEA encourages the public to visit DEA.gov.