Washington, Dec 16 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has officially designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction through an executive order, labeling the synthetic opioid a serious threat to national security and pledging to ramp up efforts against trafficking networks that exacerbate this crisis.

“With this pivotal executive order I am signing today, we are formally designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction,” Trump stated. “No bomb inflicts the damage that this does.”

Trump emphasized that the number of fentanyl-related fatalities surpasses widely reported statistics. “Between two hundred and three hundred thousand individuals lose their lives annually, based on what we know,” he remarked, noting the devastating impact on American families.

The President connected fentanyl trafficking to malevolent entities targeting the United States. “Our adversaries are intentionally flooding the US with fentanyl as part of their aim to harm Americans,” he asserted.

Trump pointed to significant drug seizures as proof of progress. “In May, we executed the largest fentanyl bust in US history, capturing three million fentanyl pills simultaneously,” he explained, adding that another 1.7 million pills were confiscated last month in Colorado.

He noted a substantial decrease in fentanyl shipments entering the country. “We have achieved a 50% reduction in fentanyl crossing the border,” Trump stated, mentioning that China was “cooperating closely” to mitigate the flow.

While acknowledging the legitimate medical uses of fentanyl, Trump cautioned that illegal production and mixing have transformed it into a deadly threat. “When combined with other substances, it becomes extremely dangerous,” he said. “This is what’s happening in Mexico.

The fentanyl order was unveiled alongside broader border security strategies, with Trump asserting that drug cartels pose a direct military threat to the US.

The fentanyl epidemic has emerged as one of the most lethal public health crises in recent American history, with synthetic opioids contributing significantly to the surge in overdose fatalities over the last decade. Previous administrations have grappled with the challenge of controlling trafficking routes that extend across Latin America, China, and international supply chains.

India has been closely monitoring global initiatives to regulate precursor chemicals and combat cross-border drug trafficking, collaborating with the US and other allies on drug enforcement efforts while balancing pharmaceutical and public health needs.