The Opioid Epidemic: Supply Control and Criminal Justice Policy—Frequently Asked Questions

Over the last several years, lawmakers in the United States have responded to rising drug overdose deaths, which increased four-fold from 1999 to 2017, with a variety of legislation, hearings, and oversight activities. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and approximately 68% of those deaths involved an opioid.

Many federal agencies are involved in domestic and foreign efforts to combat opioid abuse and the continuing increase in opioid related overdose deaths. A subset of those agencies confront the supply side (some may also confront the demand side) of the opioid epidemic. The primary federal agency involved in drug enforcement, including prescription opioids diversion control, is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other federal agencies that address the illicit opioid supply include, but are not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Offices of the U.S. Attorneys, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Office of National Drug Control Policy. This report focuses on efforts from these departments and agencies only.

Lawmakers have addressed opioid abuse as both a public health and a criminal justice issue, and Congress enacted several new laws in the 114th and 115th Congresses. These include the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; P.L. 114-198), the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act; P.L. 114-255), and most recently the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act; P.L. 115-271). Congress also provided funds specifically to address the opioid epidemic in FY2017-FY2019 appropriations.

This report answers common supply and criminal justice-related questions that have arisen as drug overdose deaths in the United States continue to increase. It does not provide a comprehensive overview of opioid abuse as a criminal justice issue. The report is divided into the following sections:

Overview of the Opioid Epidemic in the United States;

Overview of the Opioid Supply;

Opioids and Domestic Supply Control Policy;

Opioids and Foreign Supply Control Policy;

Recent Congressional Action on the Opioid Epidemic; and

The Opioid Epidemic and State Criminal Justice Policies.

The Opioid Epidemic: Supply Control and Criminal Justice Policy—Frequently Asked Questions

June 28, 2019 (R45790)
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Contents

Summary

Over the last several years, lawmakers in the United States have responded to rising drug overdose deaths, which increased four-fold from 1999 to 2017, with a variety of legislation, hearings, and oversight activities. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and approximately 68% of those deaths involved an opioid.

Many federal agencies are involved in domestic and foreign efforts to combat opioid abuse and the continuing increase in opioid related overdose deaths. A subset of those agencies confront the supply side (some may also confront the demand side) of the opioid epidemic. The primary federal agency involved in drug enforcement, including prescription opioids diversion control, is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other federal agencies that address the illicit opioid supply include, but are not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Offices of the U.S. Attorneys, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Office of National Drug Control Policy. This report focuses on efforts from these departments and agencies only.

Lawmakers have addressed opioid abuse as both a public health and a criminal justice issue, and Congress enacted several new laws in the 114th and 115th Congresses. These include the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; P.L. 114-198), the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act; P.L. 114-255), and most recently the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act; P.L. 115-271). Congress also provided funds specifically to address the opioid epidemic in FY2017-FY2019 appropriations.

This report answers common supply and criminal justice-related questions that have arisen as drug overdose deaths in the United States continue to increase. It does not provide a comprehensive overview of opioid abuse as a criminal justice issue. The report is divided into the following sections:

  • Overview of the Opioid Epidemic in the United States;
  • Overview of the Opioid Supply;
  • Opioids and Domestic Supply Control Policy;
  • Opioids and Foreign Supply Control Policy;
  • Recent Congressional Action on the Opioid Epidemic; and
  • The Opioid Epidemic and State Criminal Justice Policies.

Over the last several years, the public and lawmakers in the United States have been alarmed over the increasing number of drug overdose deaths, most of which have involved opioids. Congress has responded to the issue through legislative activity, oversight, and funding, while the Administration has sought to reduce the supply and demand of illicit drugs through enforcement, prevention, and treatment.

This FAQ report answers questions about the opioid epidemic and federal efforts to control the supply of opioids. It does not provide a comprehensive overview of opioid abuse and the criminal justice response. Instead, it answers common questions that have arisen due to rising drug overdose deaths and the availability of illicit opioids in the United States.

Overview of the Opioid Epidemic in the United States

This section answers questions on the nature of the opioid epidemic in the United States. The answers provide background on the types of opioids that are being abused, the associated harm to the abusers of these substances, and the extent of the abuse.

What is an opioid?

Terminology: Opioids and Opiates

In current usage, the term "opioids" refers to all drugs derived from the opium poppy or emulating the effects of opium-derived drugs. Technically, the term "opiates" refers to natural compounds found in the opium poppy, and "opioids" refers to synthetic compounds that emulate the effects of opiates. In either case, the drugs act on opioid receptors in the brain. This report relies on current usage of the term opioids, to include both natural and synthetic opioids.

An opioid is a type of drug that, when ingested, binds to opioid receptors in the body—many of which control a person's pain1. While opioids are medically used to alleviate pain, some are abused by being used in a way other than prescribed (e.g., in greater quantity) or taken without a doctor's prescription.2 Many prescription pain medications, such as hydrocodone and fentanyl, are opioids, as are some illicit drugs, such as heroin.

How many Americans abuse opioids?

In its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) does not ask questions about "opioids" specifically; rather, it asks respondents about their use of heroin and misuse of prescription pain relievers in two separate questions.3 In 2017, SAMHSA estimated that 11.4 million people misused an opioid at least once in the past year—this includes 11.1 million prescription pain reliever "misusers"4 and 886,000 heroin users.5

In 2017, SAMHSA also estimated that 3.2 million Americans ages 12 and older (1.2% of the population 12 and older) were current "misusers" of prescription pain relievers, and approximately 494,000 Americans ages 12 and older (0.2% of the population 12 and older) were current users6 of heroin.7

The University of Michigan administers an annual Monitoring the Future Survey8, which measures drug use behaviors among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders; college students; and young adults. In 2018, 3.4% of surveyed 12th graders9 were current users of "narcotics other than heroin", and 0.1% of surveyed 8th, 10th, and 12th graders were current users of heroin.10

What is the physical harm associated with opioid abuse?

For chronic and severe pain, opioids can improve the functioning of legitimate pain patients; however, there are short- and long-term physical risks of abusing opioids. For example, nonfatal overdoses have been associated with a number of health issues, including brain injury, pulmonary and respiratory problems, hypothermia, kidney and liver failure, seizures, and others.11 The most severe physical harm associated with opioid abuse is death due to overdose. Drug overdose deaths have increased four-fold from 16,849 in 1999 to 70,237 in 2017. Of the 70,237 overdose deaths, 47,600 (67.8%) involved opioids.12 The main driver of drug overdose deaths overall is synthetic opioids.13 Reports indicate that recent increases in overdose deaths are most likely driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl.14

Aside from the harm associated with fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses, addiction is a primary harm associated with opioids. Licit and illicit opioids are highly addictive.15 Addiction and general misuse of opioids have contributed to a series of public health, welfare, and social problems that have been widely discussed in public forums.16

Which states are experiencing a high number and/or rate of overdose deaths?

The numbers and rates of drug overdose deaths vary by state and region of the United States. Table 1 shows the number of deaths and age-adjusted overdose death rates17 for each state and the national totals for 2017. As illustrated in Figure 1, the states east of the Mississippi River have comparatively higher rates of drug overdose deaths than states west of the Mississippi River, although New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah all rank in the top half of states for age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths.

Table 1. Total Numbers and Age-Adjusted Rates of Drug Overdose Deaths, 2017

Ranked from highest to lowest age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths

State

Deaths

Population

Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000

West Virginia

974

1,815,857

57.8

Ohio

5,111

11,658,609

46.3

Pennsylvania

5,388

12,805,537

44.3

District of Columbia

310

693,972

44.0

Kentucky

1,566

4,454,189

37.2

Delaware

338

961,939

37.0

New Hampshire

467

1,342,795

37.0

Maryland

2,247

6,052,177

36.3

Maine

424

1,335,907

34.4

Massachusetts

2,168

6,859,819

31.8

Rhode Island

320

1,059,639

31.0

Connecticut

1,072

3,588,184

30.9

New Jersey

2,685

9,005,644

30.0

Indiana

1,852

6,666,818

29.4

Michigan

2,694

9,962,311

27.8

Tennessee

1,776

6,715,984

26.6

Florida

5,088

20,984,400

25.1

New Mexico

493

2,088,070

24.8

Louisiana

1,108

4,684,333

24.5

North Carolina

2,414

10,273,419

24.1

Missouri

1,367

6,113,532

23.4

Vermont

134

623,657

23.2

Utah

650

3,101,833

22.3

Arizona

1,532

7,016,270

22.2

United States

70,237

325,719,178

21.7

Illinois

2,778

12,802,023

21.6

Nevada

676

2,998,039

21.6

Wisconsin

1,177

5,795,483

21.2

South Carolina

1,008

5,024,369

20.5

Alaska

147

739,795

20.2

Oklahoma

775

3,930,864

20.1

New York

3,921

19,849,399

19.4

Alabama

835

4,874,747

18.0

Virginia

1,507

8,470,020

17.9

Colorado

1,015

5,607,154

17.6

Arkansas

446

3,004,279

15.5

Washington

1,169

7,405,743

15.2

Georgia

1,537

10,429,379

14.7

Idaho

236

1,716,943

14.4

Hawaii

203

1,427,538

13.8

Minnesota

733

5,576,606

13.3

Oregon

530

4,142,776

12.4

Mississippi

354

2,984,100

12.2

Wyoming

69

579,315

12.2

Kansas

333

2,913,123

11.8

California

4,868

39,536,653

11.7

Montana

119

1,050,493

11.7

Iowa

341

3,145,711

11.5

Texas

2,989

28,304,596

10.5

North Dakota

68

755,393

9.2

South Dakota

73

869,666

8.5

Nebraska

152

1,920,076

8.1

Source: CRS presentation of data from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), NCHS- Drug Poisoning Mortality by State: United States, 2016, https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/NCHS-Drug-Poisoning-Mortality-by-State-United-Stat/xbxb-epbu. Population estimates are from U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2017, 2017 Population Estimates.

Note: CDC calculated age-adjusted death rates as deaths per 100,000 in population using the direct method and the 2000 standard U.S. population. Crude death rates are influenced by the age distribution of a state's population. Age-adjusting the rates ensures that differences from one year to another or between two areas are not due to differences in the age distribution of a state's population.

Figure 1. Age-Adjusted Rates of Drug Overdose Deaths, 2017

Source: CRS presentation of data from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Drug Overdose Death Data, 2017, https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/statedeaths.html.

Notes: CDC calculated age-adjusted death rates as deaths per 100,000 in population using the direct method and the 2000 standard U.S. population. Crude death rates are influenced by the age distribution of a state's population. Age-adjusting the rates ensures that differences from one year to another or between two areas are not due to differences in the age distribution of the states' populations.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that overdose deaths have increased in states also reporting large increases in fentanyl seizures.18 In addition, there is reportedly a "strong relationship" between the number of synthetic opioid deaths and the number of fentanyl reports in the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS).19 The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that the number of fentanyl-related deaths is likely underestimated because some medical examiners do not test for fentanyl and some death certificates do not list specific drugs.20

Overview of the Opioid Supply

Heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids are significant drug threats in the United States—in 2017, approximately 44% of domestic local law enforcement agencies responding21 to the National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) reported heroin as the greatest drug threat in their area.22 While the percentage of NDTS respondents reporting high availability of controlled prescription drugs (CPDs),23 which include some opioids, has declined over the last several years (75% of NDTS respondents reported high availability in 2014, compared to 52% in 2017), the reported availability of heroin has increased (30% reported high availability in 2014, compared to 49% in 2017).24 Further, there has been a rise in the availability of illicit fentanyl—the primary synthetic opioid available in the United States.25

What is the recent history of the opioid supply in the United States?

While opioids have been available in the United States since the 1800s, the market for these drugs shifted significantly beginning in the 1990s. This section focuses on this latter period (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Timeline of the Opioid Supply

1990s-Today

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration; National Institute on Drug Abuse; and U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center.

Notes: Under the Controlled Substances Act, there are five schedules under which substances may be classified—Schedule I being the most restrictive. Substances placed onto one of the five schedules are evaluated on potential for abuse, current scientific knowledge of the substance, risk to public health, and several other criteria. For example, heroin is categorized as a Schedule I drug and has no recognized medical use, while oxycodone and hydrocodone have recognized medical use and are categorized as Schedule II.

Prescription Opioid Supply

In the 1990s, the availability and abuse of prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, increased as the legitimate production,26 and the subsequent diversion of some of these drugs, increased sharply.27 This continued into the early 2000s, as illegitimate prescription opioid users turned to family and friends, "doctor shopping," bad-acting physicians,28 pill mills,29 the internet, pharmaceutical theft, and prescription fraud to obtain prescription opioids.

The federal government has used varied approaches to reduce the unlawful prescription drug supply and prescription drug abuse, including diversion control through grants for state prescription drug monitoring programs30; a crackdown on pill mills; increased regulation of internet pharmacies31; the reformulation of a commonly abused prescription opioid, OxyContin® (oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release)32; and the rescheduling of hydrocodone.33

Some experts have highlighted a connection between the crackdown on the unlawful supply of prescription drugs and the subsequent rise in the availability and abuse of heroin (discussed in the next section). Heroin is a cheaper alternative to prescription opioids, and may be accessible to some who are seeking an opioid high. Notably, while most users of prescription drugs will not go on to use heroin, accessibility and price are central factors cited by patients with opioid dependence who decide to turn to heroin.34

In October 2018, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act; P.L. 115-271) imposed tighter oversight of opioid production and distribution, required additional reporting and safeguards to address fraud, and limited Medicare coverage of prescription opioids.35 Also in 2018, the DEA proposed a "significant" reduction in opioid manufacturing for 2019.36 In its final order setting the aggregate production quota for certain controlled substances in 2019, the DEA noted that it "has observed a decline in the number of prescriptions written for schedule II opioids since 2014 and will continue to set aggregate production quotas to meet the medical needs of the United States while combating the opioid crisis."37

Heroin Supply

The trajectory of the heroin supply over the last several decades is much different than that of prescription opioids, but their stories are connected.38 In the late 1990s and early 2000s, white powder heroin produced in South America dominated the market east of the Mississippi River, and black tar and brown powder heroin produced in Mexico dominated the market west of the Mississippi.39 Most of the heroin found in the United States at that time came from South America, while smaller percentages came from Mexico and Southwest Asia.

In the 1990s, the purity and price of retail-level heroin varied considerably by region. The average retail-level purity of South American heroin was around 46%, which was considerably higher than that of Mexican, Southeast Asian, or Southwest Asian heroin. Mexican heroin was around 27% pure, while Southeast Asian and Southwest Asian heroin were around 24% and 30% pure, respectively.40 Retail prices for heroin fell dramatically throughout the 1990s—it was 55% to 65% less expensive in 1999 than in 1989.41

Through 2017, retail-level heroin prices continued to decline (although they increased slightly from 2015 to 2016), while purity, in particular that of Mexican heroin, has increased (although purity also dipped slightly from 2015 to 2016).42 The availability of Mexican heroin has increased. In 2016, nearly 90% of the heroin seized and tested in the United States was determined to have come from Mexico, while a much smaller portion was from South America.43 Mexican-sourced heroin dominates the U.S. heroin market, in part, because of its proximity and its established transportation and distribution infrastructure. In addition, increases in Mexican production have ensured a reliable supply of low-cost heroin, even as demand for the drug has increased. Mexican transnational criminal organizations have particularly increased their production of white powder heroin as they have expanded their retail presence44 into the eastern part of the United States (where the primary form of heroin consumed has been white powder) and they have diversified the heroin sold in western states. Of further concern is the increasing amount of heroin seizures containing fentanyl and/or fentanyl-related substances.45

Fentanyl Supply

Exacerbating the current opioid problem is the rise of illicit nonpharmaceutical fentanyl46 available on the black market. Diverted pharmaceutical fentanyl represents only a small portion of the fentanyl market. Illicit nonpharmaceutical fentanyl largely comes from China, and it is often mixed with or sold as heroin. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, and over the last several years, reported prices ranged between $30,000 and $38,000 per kilogram. The increased potency of illicit nonpharmaceutical fentanyl compounds, such as "gray death,"47 is even more dangerous. Law enforcement expects that illicit fentanyl distributors will continue to create new fentanyl products to circumvent new U.S., Chinese, and Mexican laws and regulations.48

Where are illicit opioids produced?

Illicit opioids include those from plant-based and synthetic sources. While some opium poppy crops are legally cultivated to meet global demand for scientific and medicinal purposes, the United Nations (U.N.) estimates that approximately 345,800 hectares of opium poppy crops were illicitly cultivated around the world in 2018—a 16.6% decrease from the estimated 414,500 hectares in 2017.49 The vast majority of illicit opium poppy is grown in Afghanistan, which cultivated approximately 263,000 hectares in 2018. Most heroin consumed in the United States is derived from illicit opium poppy crops cultivated in Mexico.50 According to U.S. government estimates, approximately 44,100 hectares of illicit opium poppy was cultivated in Mexico in 2017 (up from 28,000 hectares cultivated in 2015).51 Illicit cultivation of opium poppy has also been reported in Burma (37,300 hectares in 2018), Laos (5,700 hectares in 2015), and Colombia (282 hectares in 2017). Several dozen other countries have reported comparatively smaller seizures of opium poppy plants and eradication of opium poppy crops.

Synthetic opioids may enter the illicit drug market through diversion from legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturing operations or through the clandestine production of counterfeit medicines and/or of psychoactive substances intended for recreational consumption. Illicit synthetic opioids consumed in the United States are mostly foreign-sourced. According to the State Department, "China's large chemical and pharmaceutical industries provide an ideal environment for the illicit production and export of [synthetic drugs]."52 The State Department also reports that India's pharmaceutical and chemical industries are particularly susceptible to criminal exploitation; India legally produces opium for pharmaceutical uses and manufactures synthetic opiate pharmaceuticals, in addition to numerous precursor chemicals that could be diverted and used as ingredients in the production of illicit opioids. Clandestine laboratories illicitly producing fentanyl have been discovered in Mexico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and other countries.53

How do illicit opioids enter the country?

Prescription Opioids

The active and inactive ingredients in prescription opioids may come from various countries around the world.54 Prescription drugs may be manufactured domestically or abroad. Current law and regulations allow for the importation of certain prescription drugs that are manufactured outside the country.55 Prescription drugs in the United States, regardless of where they were manufactured, flow through a regulated supply chain56—involving manufacturers, processers, packagers, importers, and distributors—until they are ultimately dispensed to end users.

The majority of misused prescription opioids available in the United States have been prescribed for a legitimate use and then diverted. Counterfeit prescription opioids are also available; in these cases, substances have often been pressed into pills in the United States, or abroad and then transported into the country, and sold. The DEA has indicated that one of the reasons traffickers may be disguising other opioids as CPDs could be that they are attempting to "gain access to new users."57

Heroin58

Mexican transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) are the major suppliers and key producers of most illegal drugs smuggled into the United States,59 and they have been increasing their share of the U.S. heroin market. The 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment notes that most illicit heroin flows into the United States over the Southwest border. It is primarily moved through legal ports of entry (POEs) in passenger vehicles or tractor trailers where it can be co-mingled with legal goods; a smaller amount of heroin is seized from individuals carrying the drugs on their person or in backpacks.60 Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicate that in FY2018, 5,205 pounds of heroin were seized at POEs, and 568 pounds were seized between POEs.61

Illicitly Produced Fentanyl62

The DEA notes that "[f]entanyl continues to be smuggled into the United States primarily in powder or counterfeit pill form, indicating illicitly produced fentanyl as opposed to pharmaceutical fentanyl from the countries of origin."63 Fentanyl is smuggled into the United States directly from China through the mail,64 from China through Canada, or across the Southwest border from Mexico.65 Smaller quantities of fentanyl with relatively high purity (some over 90%) are smuggled from China, and larger quantities of fentanyl with relatively low purity (often less than 10%) are transported from Mexico.66 The DEA notes that Mexican traffickers often get fentanyl precursor chemicals from China. In addition, these traffickers may receive fentanyl from China, adulterate it, and smuggle it into the United States.

Data from CBP indicate that in FY2018, 1,785 pounds of fentanyl were seized at POEs, and 388 pounds were seized between POEs.67 The DEA reports that the San Diego border sector has been the primary entry point for fentanyl coming into the United States across the Southwest border (85% of the fentanyl seized coming across the Southwest border in 2017 flowed through the San Diego sector, and 14% came through the Tucson sector). Most commonly, the fentanyl seized coming through Southwest border POEs was smuggled in personally operated vehicles.68

Opioids and Domestic Supply Control Policy

How does the federal government counter illicit opioid trafficking in the United States?69

There are a number of federal departments and agencies involved in countering illicit opioid trafficking in the United States.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

ONDCP is responsible for creating, implementing, and evaluating U.S. drug control policies to reduce the use, manufacturing, and trafficking of illicit drugs as well as drug-related health consequences, crime, and violence.70 The ONDCP director is required to develop a National Drug Control Strategy (Strategy) to direct the nation's anti-drug efforts and a National Drug Control Budget (Budget) designed to implement the Strategy. The director also is required to coordinate implementation of the policies, goals, objectives, and priorities established by the Administration by agencies contributing to the Federal Drug Control Program.71 In addition, ONDCP manages several grant programs, including the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.72 While ONDCP is not focused solely on countering opioid-related threats, it is a major priority of the office.73

HIDTA

The HIDTA program provides assistance to law enforcement agencies—at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels—that are operating in regions of the United States that have been deemed critical drug trafficking areas. There are 29 designated HIDTAs throughout the United States and its territories. The program aims to reduce drug production and trafficking through four means:

  • promoting coordination and information sharing between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement;
  • bolstering intelligence sharing between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement;
  • providing reliable intelligence to law enforcement agencies such that they may be better equipped to design effective enforcement operations and strategies; and
  • promoting coordinated law enforcement strategies that rely upon available resources to reduce illegal drug supplies, not only in a given area but throughout the country.74

HIDTA funds can be used to support the most pressing drug trafficking threats in the region. As such, when heroin trafficking is found to be a top priority in a HIDTA region, funds may be used to support initiatives targeting it.

In addition, in 2015 ONDCP launched the Heroin Response Strategy (HRS), "a multi-HIDTA, cross-disciplinary approach that develops partnerships among public safety and public health agencies at the Federal, state, and local levels to reduce drug overdose fatalities and disrupt trafficking in illicit opioids."75 Within the HRS, a Public Health and Public Safety Network coordinates teams of public health analysts and drug intelligence officers in each state. The HRS not only provides information to these participating entities on drug trafficking and use, but it has "developed and disseminated prevention activities, including a parent helpline and online materials."76

Other ONDCP Supply Control Initiatives

ONDCP has been involved in various other counter-trafficking operations since its creation in 1988.77 Recently, it collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (as well as CBP and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service) to launch the Opioid Detection Challenge—a $1.55 million global prize competition to seek new solutions to detect opioids in international mail.78

Department of Justice (DOJ)

DOJ controls the opioid supply through law enforcement; regulation of manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers; and grants to state and local agencies. U.S. efforts to target opioid trafficking have centered on law enforcement initiatives.

There are a number of DOJ law enforcement agencies involved in countering opioid trafficking. Within these agencies, there are a range of activities aimed at (or that may be tailored to) curbing opioid trafficking.

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program

The OCDETF program targets—with the intent to disrupt and dismantle—major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Federal agencies that participate in the OCDETF program include the DEA; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); U.S. Marshals; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); U.S. Coast Guard; Offices of the U.S. Attorneys; and the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Criminal Division. These federal agencies also collaborate with state and local law enforcement on task forces.79 There are 14 OCDETF strike forces around the country and an OCDETF Fusion Center that gathers and analyzes intelligence and information to support OCDETF operations. The OCDETFs target those organizations that have been identified on the Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOT) List, the "most wanted" list for leaders of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. During FY2018, 52% of active OCDETF investigations involved heroin. According to DOJ, "OCDETF has adjusted its resources to target these investigations in an attempt to reduce the [heroin] supply."80

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The DEA enforces federal controlled substances laws in all states and territories. The agency has developed a 360 Strategy aimed at "tackling the cycle of violence and addiction generated by the link between drug cartels, violent gangs, and the rising problem of prescription opioid and heroin abuse."81 The 360 Strategy leverages federal, state, and local law enforcement, diversion control, and community outreach organizations to achieve its goals. Additionally, the DEA routinely uses community-based enforcement strategies as well as multijurisdictional task forces to address opioid trafficking.82

The DEA also operates a heroin signature program (HSP) and a heroin domestic monitor program (HDMP) to identify the geographic sources of heroin seized in the United States. The HSP analyzes wholesale-level samples of "heroin seized at U.S. ports of entry (POEs), all non-POE heroin exhibits weighing more than one kilogram, randomly chosen samples, and special requests for analysis."83 The HDMP samples retail-level heroin seized in selected cities across the country.84 Chemical analysis of a given heroin sample can identify its "signature," which indicates a particular heroin production process that has been linked to a specific geographic region. In addition, the DEA has started a Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program (FSPP), analyzing samples from fentanyl seizures to help "identify the international and domestic trafficking networks responsible for many of the drugs fueling the opioid crisis."85

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The FBI investigates opioid trafficking as part of its efforts to counter transnational organized crime and gangs, cybercriminals, fraudsters, and other malicious actors. The FBI participates in investigations that range from targeting drug distribution networks bringing opioids across the Southwest border86 to prioritizing illicit opioid distributors leveraging the Dark Web87 to sell their drugs.88

Other DOJ Agencies

Other DOJ agencies have key roles in combatting the opioid epidemic. The Offices of the U.S. Attorneys are responsible for the prosecution of federal criminal and civil cases, which include cases against prescribers, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacies involved in unlawful manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing of opioids as well as illicit opioid traffickers. Other enforcement agencies such as the ATF and U.S. Marshals may also be involved in seizing illicit opioids in the course of carrying out their official duties. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) administers grant programs to address opioid supply and demand (some of which are discussed below in "Which DOJ grant programs may be used to address the opioid epidemic?").

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

CBP works to counter the trafficking of illicit opioids (among other drugs) along the U.S. borders as well as via mail curriers. To help detect and interdict these substances, CBP employs tools such as nonintrusive inspection equipment (including x-ray and imaging systems), canines, and laboratory testing of suspicious substances. The agency also uses information and screening systems to help detect illicit drugs, targeting precursor chemicals, equipment, and the drugs themselves.89

CBP, through the Office of Field Operations (OFO) and the U.S. Border Patrol, seizes illicit drugs coming into the United States at and between POEs.90 CBP data indicate that 90% of the heroin seized by CBP in FY2018 was seized by OFO at POEs, and 10% was seized by the Border Patrol between POEs. In addition, these data indicate that 82% of the fentanyl seized in FY2018 was seized by OFO at POEs, and 18% was seized by the Border Patrol between POEs.91

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

Drug interdiction is part of the Coast Guard's law enforcement mission. The agency is responsible for interdicting noncommercial maritime flows of illegal drugs. Cocaine is the primary illicit drug encountered by the Coast Guard, as it is the most common drug moved via noncommercial vessels.92 While the Coast Guard encounters other illicit drugs, including opioids, the agency notes that those drugs are more commonly moved on land or in commercial maritime vessels that are regulated by other enforcement agencies.93 The Coast Guard also participates in multi-agency counterdrug task forces, including OCDETF.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)

USPIS is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service. It shares responsibility for international mail security with other federal agencies, and as a result of the opioid epidemic, it has dedicated more resources to investigating prohibited substances in the mail.94 From FY2016 through FY2018, USPIS had a "1,000% increase in international parcel seizures and a 750% increase in domestic parcel seizures related to opioids."95 In FY2018, USPIS and its law enforcement partners seized over 96,000 pounds of drugs in the mail, including marijuana, methamphetamine, synthetic opioids, and others, but their publicly available data does not describe what portion of these drugs were opioids.96

What is the DEA's role in preventing the diversion of prescription opioids?

The DEA has a key regulatory function in drug control. While it conducts traditional law enforcement activities such as investigating drug trafficking (including trafficking of heroin and other illicit opioids), it also regulates the flow of controlled substances in the United States. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA)97 requires the DEA to establish and maintain a closed system of distribution for controlled substances; this involves the regulation of anyone who handles controlled substances, including exporters, importers, manufacturers, distributors, health care professionals, pharmacists, and researchers.

Unless specifically exempted by the CSA, these individuals must register with the DEA. Registrants must keep records of all transactions involving controlled substances, maintain detailed inventories of the substances in their possession, and periodically file reports with the DEA, as well as ensure that controlled substances are securely stored and safeguarded.98 The DEA regulates over 1.5 million registrants.99

The DEA uses its criminal, civil, and administrative authorities to maintain a closed system of distribution and prevent diversion of drugs, such as prescription opioids, from legitimate purposes. Actions include inspections, order form requirements, education, and establishing quotas for Schedule I and II controlled substances.100 More severe administrative actions include immediate suspension orders and orders to show cause for registrations.101 As noted previously, in 2018 the DEA significantly lowered the aggregate production quota for opioids in 2019.102

Which DOJ grant programs may be used to address the opioid epidemic?

Discussed below are grant programs that have a direct or possible avenue to address the opioid epidemic. This discussion provides examples of such programs, and should not be considered exhaustive. Many DOJ grant programs have broad purpose areas for which funds can be used. While some focus on broad crime reduction strategies that might include efforts to combat drug-related crime, others—including the selected programs—have purpose areas that are more specifically focused on drug threats. Of note, these programs do not solely address illicit drug supply control; some also address demand as well as other criminal justice issues. They are included because they are administered by DOJ agencies.

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program (COAP)

COAP is a recently created DOJ grant program103 (administered by BJA) for states, units of local government, and Indian tribes (34 U.S.C. 10701 et seq.). This grant program supports projects primarily relating to opioid abuse, including (1) diversion and alternatives to incarceration projects; (2) collaboration between criminal justice, social service, and substance abuse agencies; (3) overdose outreach projects, including law enforcement training related to overdoses; (4) strategies to support those with a history of opioid misuse,104 including justice-involved individuals; (5) prescription drug monitoring programs; (6) development of interventions based on a public health and public safety understanding of opioid abuse; and (7) planning and implementation of comprehensive strategies in response to the growing opioid epidemic.105

The Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) was incorporated into COAP. The Harold Rogers PDMP is a competitive grant program that was created to help law enforcement, regulatory entities, and public health officials collect and analyze data on prescriptions for controlled substances. Law enforcement uses of PDMP data include (but are not limited to) investigations of physicians who prescribe controlled substances for drug dealers or abusers, pharmacists who falsify records in order to sell controlled substances, and people who forge prescriptions.106

COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program

The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office's Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program provides funding assistance on a competitive basis to state law enforcement agencies to investigate illicit activities related to the trafficking or distribution of heroin or diverted prescription opioids. Funds are distributed to states with high rates of primary treatment admissions for heroin and other opioids. Further, the program focuses its funding on state law enforcement agencies with multi-jurisdictional reach and interdisciplinary team structures—such as task forces.107

Drug Courts108

The Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program

The Drug Court Discretionary Grant program109 (Drug Courts Program) is meant to enhance drug court services, coordination, and substance abuse treatment and recovery support services. It is a BJA-administered, competitive grant program that provides resources to state, local, and tribal courts and governments to enhance drug court programs for nonviolent substance-abusing offenders. Drug courts are designed to help reduce recidivism and substance abuse among participants and increase an offender's likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early, continuous, and intense judicially supervised treatment; mandatory periodic drug testing; community supervision; appropriate sanctions; and other rehabilitation services.

The Drug Courts Program is not focused on opioid abusers, but drug-involved offenders, including opioids abusers, may be processed through drug courts.

Veterans Treatment Courts

BJA administers the Veterans Treatment Court Program through the Drug Courts Program using funds specifically appropriated for this purpose. The purpose of the Veterans Treatment Court Program is "to serve veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness, and/or co-occurring disorders."110 Grants are awarded to state, local, and tribal governments to fund the establishment and development of veterans treatment courts. While veterans treatment court grants have been part of the OJP's Drug Courts Program for several years, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; P.L. 114-198) authorized DOJ to award grants to state, local, and tribal governments to establish or expand programs for qualified veterans,111 including veterans treatment courts; peer-to-peer services; and treatment, rehabilitation, legal, or transitional services for incarcerated veterans.112

Juvenile and Family Drug Treatment Courts

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) supports juvenile and family drug court programs through its Drug Treatment Courts Program. This program supports the implementation or enhancement of state, local, and tribal drug court programs that focus on juveniles and parents with substance abuse issues. One of its specific goals is to help those with substance abuse problems related to opioid abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders who are involved with the court system.113

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

Administered by BJA, the JAG program provides funding to state, local, and tribal governments for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems in eight program purpose areas: (1) law enforcement programs; (2) prosecution and court programs; (3) prevention and education programs; (4) corrections and community corrections programs; (5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; (6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; (7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation); and (8) mental health and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams. Given the breadth of the program, funds could be used for opioid abuse programs, but state and local governments that receive JAG funds are not required to use their funding for this purpose.114

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP)

Also administered by BJA, the JMHCP supports collaborative criminal justice and mental health systems efforts to assist individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who come into contact with the justice system. It encourages early intervention for these individuals; supports training for justice and treatment professionals; and facilitates collaborative support services among justice professionals, treatment and related service providers, and governmental partners. Three types of grants are supported under this program: (1) Collaborative County Approaches to Reducing the Prevalence of Individuals with Mental Disorders in Jail, (2) Planning and Implementation, and (3) Expansion.115

Juvenile Justice Program Grants

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) Formula Grant Program

The JJDPA authorizes OJJDP to make formula grants116 to states that can be used to fund the planning, establishment, operation, coordination, and evaluation of projects for the development of more-effective juvenile delinquency programs and improved juvenile justice systems. Funds provided to the state may be used for a wide array of juvenile justice related programs, such as substance abuse prevention and treatment programs. None of the program purpose areas deal specifically with combating opioid abuse, but they are broad enough that the grants made under this program could be used for this purpose.

JJDPA Title V Incentive Grants Program

The JJDPA authorizes OJJDP to make discretionary grants117 to the states that are then transmitted to units of local government in order to carry out delinquency prevention programs for juveniles who have come into contact, or are likely to come into contact, with the juvenile justice system. Purpose areas include (but are not limited to) alcohol and substance abuse prevention services, educational programs, and child and adolescent health (as well as mental health) services. None of the program purpose areas deal specifically with combating opioid abuse, but they are broad enough that they could be used for this purpose.

Opioid Affected Youth Initiative

The Opioid Affected Youth Initiative is a competitive grant program administered by OJJDP that funds state, local, and tribal government efforts to "develop a data-driven coordinated response to identify and address challenges resulting from opioid abuse that are impacting youth and community safety."118 The program supports recipients in implementing strategies and programs to identify areas of concern, collect and interpret data to help develop youth strategies and programming, and implement services to assist children, youth, and families affected by opioid abuse.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program

The RSAT Program is a formula grant program administered by BJA that supports state, local, and tribal governments in developing and implementing substance abuse treatment programs in correctional and detention facilities. Funds may also be used to support reintegration services for offenders as they reenter the community after a period of incarceration. Beginning in FY2018, BJA requires potential grantees to explain "how funded programs will address the addition of opioid abuse reduction treatment and services."119

Tribal Resources Grant Program

The COPS Office administers the Tribal Resources Grant Program. It generally supports tribal law enforcement needs, and specifically aims to enhance tribal law enforcement's capacity to engage in anti-opioid activities, among other objectives.120

Where can DOJ opioid-related grant funding information be found?

For state-specific information on grants and funding from OJP, see the OJP Award Data web page121 and search by location or by grant solicitation. In FY2018, the Department of Justice released a document entitled, Fact Sheet: Justice Department is Awarding Almost $320 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis, which provides a list of FY2018 grantees.122

Opioids and Foreign Supply Control Policy

How does the United States respond to international illicit opioid trafficking?

The United States has taken a multipronged foreign policy approach to addressing foreign flows of illicit opioids destined for the United States. To date, this approach has included multilateral diplomacy, bilateral efforts, and unilateral action.

On the multilateral front, the U.S. government, primarily working through the U.S. Department of State, engages international organizations and entities involved in addressing drug control issues, including opioids. This includes diplomatic engagement with United Nations (U.N.) entities such as the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the primary U.N. counternarcotics policy decisionmaking body; the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which monitors how member states implement treaty commitments related to drug control; and the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), mandated to provide technical cooperation and research and analytical projects that support member states' implementation of counternarcotics policies. The United States also addresses opioid trafficking through the Organization of American States' (OAS') Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD). Through such organizations, the United States supports efforts to promote cross-border information sharing.

One objective of U.S. efforts at the U.N. is to accelerate the rate at which new drugs and related precursor chemicals are incorporated into the U.N. international drug control regime. For example, U.S. diplomats advocated for the international control of two of the key chemical precursors used in the production of fentanyl: N-phenethyl-4-piperidone (NPP) and 4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidone (ANPP). The CND subsequently added NPP and ANPP to the U.N.'s list of drugs and chemicals under international control, effective October 2017.123

Until recently, the United States had also engaged the Universal Postal Union (UPU) on the issue of opioid trafficking through international mail. Through the UPU, the United States had, for example, supported the exchange of advance electronic data (AED) for international mail items specifically to improve global efforts to detect and interdict synthetic drugs shipped through the mail.124 In October 2018, however, the Trump Administration announced that it would begin a one-year withdrawal process from the UPU, potentially affecting how the United States and the UPU engage on opioid matters.125

Role of the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)

Whether multilaterally or bilaterally, the U.S. Department of State, particularly through the INL Bureau, broadly aims to support and build foreign capacity to disrupt the flow of opioids and other illicit narcotics into the United States.126 This includes the provision of technical assistance in illicit substances detection, forensics, and cyber investigation techniques as well as sharing with international partners U.S. expertise on reducing drug demand. INL leads the U.S. delegation to the CND and supports projects of the INCB and UNODC with foreign assistance funding appropriated through the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) foreign operations account.

INL uses its INCLE funds to train foreign officials to identify and detect illicit substances. This includes providing foreign governments with specialized training to intercept suspicious drugs and chemicals sold online and shipped through the mail and express consignments. INL also funds training and technical assistance programs designed to help foreign governments investigate, prosecute, and dismantle the sale of synthetic drugs online as well as follow the digital money trail of synthetic drug traffickers.127

INL also supports demand reduction efforts to promote best practices for the prevention and treatment of drug use. This includes support for public health messaging on the risks of synthetics; assistance to foreign governments with implementing evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services; and the development of data collection on the illicit synthetic drug market, including consumption trends, toxicological screening of synthetic drug profiles, and the prevalence of toxic adulterants in illicit drug supplies.128

Bilateral cooperation on opioids has included focused efforts in China, Mexico, and Canada, among other countries. Such engagement has variously taken the form of structured diplomatic dialogues, bilateral law enforcement cooperation, and foreign assistance programming. With respect to China, bilateral cooperation on counternarcotics matters is a top diplomatic priority for the United States.129

As with China, U.S. officials pursue bilateral cooperation with Mexico on counternarcotics matters through meetings, including through the cabinet-level U.S.-Mexico Strategic Dialogue on Disrupting Transnational Criminal Organizations, sub-cabinet level U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation Group, U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Drug Policy Working Group, and National Fentanyl Conference for Forensic Chemists. Trilaterally, the United States, Mexico, and Canada have met several times through the North American Drug Dialogue to address heroin and fentanyl issues. In addition to structured dialogues, U.S. federal law enforcement agencies also engage regularly with their counterparts on ongoing investigations through their representatives based at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad; formal law enforcement cooperation is also facilitated through mutual legal assistance mechanisms.130

The United States also funds and conducts programming with China and Mexico to address opioids. In China, INL funding supports drug-related information exchanges, training for Chinese counterparts on specialized topics related to synthetic opioids, and efforts to promote effective drug demand reduction. INL also funds a Resident Legal Advisor, a DOJ prosecutor who is based at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing; a key project has been to conduct outreach to Chinese counterparts involved in amending China's legal and regulatory framework to place the entire fentanyl class of substances under drug control.131 In Mexico, current efforts to address illicit opioids fit within a broader context of longstanding U.S.-Mexico cooperation to disrupt drug production, dismantle drug distribution networks, prosecute drug traffickers, and deny transnational criminal organizations access to illicit revenue.132 In such efforts, U.S. support has included programming to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and eradication, drug production and trafficking, border security, and criminal justice judicial institution reform.

In addition, the U.S. government has taken domestic action to address foreign sources and traffickers of opioids through the U.S. criminal justice system and through the application of financial sanctions against specially designated foreign nationals.133 Recent DOJ indictments have involved Chinese nationals allegedly involved in fentanyl production.134 Further targeting one of the Chinese nationals under indictment, Jian Zhang, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Zhang, four of his associates, and an entity used as a front for the trafficking of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues for sanction, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act).135 The Treasury and DOJ have taken similar action against Mexican individuals and entities involved in trafficking heroin and fentanyl to the United States.136

What has Mexico done to interrupt the flow of illicit opioids into the United States?

The government of Mexico cooperates with the United States on counternarcotics matters, including opioid supply reduction. The government eradicates opium poppy; tracks, seizes, and interdicts opioids and precursor chemicals; dismantles clandestine drug laboratories; and carries out operations against transnational organized crime groups engaged in opioid trafficking and other related crimes. The Mexican government also participates in international efforts to control precursor chemicals, including fentanyl precursors NPP and ANPP.

In 2018, the government of Mexico increased its budget for public security and justice (including antidrug efforts) by 6.2% as compared to 2017, and formed an Office of National Drug Policy within the Attorney General's Office to coordinate federal drug policy.137 Inaugurated to a six-year term in December 2018, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has continued cooperation on drug control with the United States. Observers maintain that both governments could find a common interest in combating fentanyl smuggling, but predict that the López Obrador government's proposal to regulate opium cultivation for medicinal purposes could cause friction in bilateral relations.138

The Mexican military leads efforts to eradicate illicit drug crops in Mexico, including a reported 29,692 hectares of opium poppy in 2017.139 Mexican authorities reportedly seized approximately 766.9 kilograms of opium gum140 in 2017, up from 235 kilograms in 2016.141 The United States has provided specialized training and equipment to Mexican authorities that contributed to increased fentanyl seizures in 2017 and 2018. Various Mexican agencies have identified and seized fentanyl and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills with U.S.-funded nonintrusive inspection equipment and canine teams. In September 2018, Mexican law enforcement discovered a production mill used to produce carfentanil (an analogue 100 times more potent than fentanyl).142

What has China done to interrupt the flow of illicit opioids into the United States?

As discussed, China is a primary source of illicit fentanyl destined for the United States. As of December 1, 2018, China had imposed controls on 170 new psychoactive substances, including 25 fentanyl analogues. It had also imposed controls on two fentanyl precursor chemicals.143 According to the DEA, U.S. seizure data show that China's implementation of controls on fentanyl analogues has had "an immediate effect on the availability of these drugs in the United States."144 President Xi Jinping said China was willing to go further and control the entire class of fentanyl substances, a move supported by President Trump.145

In April 2019, three Chinese government agencies jointly announced that effective May 1, 2019, all fentanyl-related substances will be added to China's "Supplementary List of Controlled Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances with Non-Medical Use."146 Li Yuejin, Deputy Director of China's National Narcotics Control Commission, outlined a series of follow-on steps that he said China would take. He said China would issue "guidance on applicable laws for handling criminal cases related to fentanyl substances" and protocols for filing and prosecuting similar cases. Other actions he said China would take include the following:

  • investigating suspected illicit fentanyl manufacturing bases;
  • scrubbing drug-related content from the Internet;
  • "cut[ting] off online communication and transaction channels for criminals";
  • pressuring parcel delivery services to require that senders register their real names;
  • stepping up inspections of international parcels;
  • setting up special teams to conduct criminal investigations focused on manufacturing and trafficking of fentanyl substances and other drugs;
  • strengthening information-sharing and case cooperation with "relevant countries," including the United States, with the goal of dismantling transnational drug smuggling networks; and
  • stepping up development of technology for examining and identifying controlled substances.147

The DEA welcomed the Chinese government's announcement, saying, "[t]his significant development will eliminate Chinese drug traffickers' ability to alter fentanyl compounds to get around the law."148 ONDCP noted that China's scheduling decision does not cover all the precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl substances, meaning that they might continue to flow to Mexico where traffickers use them to make fentanyl destined for the United States.149

China's postal service, China Post, has an existing agreement with the USPS to provide advanced electronic data (AED) on parcels mailed to the United States.150 China's government has also cracked down on illicit fentanyl rings in China and assisted DOJ investigations of Chinese nationals suspected of illicit fentanyl manufacturing and distributing.151

Recent Congressional Action on the Opioid Epidemic

What federal laws have been enacted recently that address the opioid epidemic?

Congress largely has taken a public health approach (i.e., focusing on prevention and treatment) toward addressing the nation's opioid crisis, but recently enacted laws have addressed supply control and other criminal justice issues as well. Three major laws were enacted in the 114th and 115th Congresses that address the opioid epidemic—the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA, P.L. 114-198); the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act; P.L. 114-255); and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act; P.L. 115-271). CARA focused primarily on opioids but also addressed broader drug abuse issues. The Cures Act authorized state opioid grants (in Division A) and included more general substance abuse provisions (in Division B) as part of a larger effort to address health research and treatment. The SUPPORT Act broadly addressed substance use disorder prevention and treatment as well as diversion control through extensive provisions involving law enforcement, public health, and health care financing and coverage.152 Further, Congress and the Administration provided funds to specifically address opioid abuse in FY2017-FY2019 appropriations.

How much FY2019 funding has Congress provided DHS, DOJ, and ONDCP to address the opioid epidemic?

Many questions surround the amount of opioid funding appropriated each year. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6),153 provided $347.0 million for "comprehensive opioid abuse reduction activities, including as authorized by CARA, and for … programs, which shall address opioid abuse reduction consistent with underlying program authorities"154 (which includes many of the programs cited above in "Which DOJ grant programs may be used to address the opioid epidemic?"). In FY2019, the DEA received an increase of $77.8 million over FY2018 funding "to help fight drug trafficking, including heroin and fentanyl." The additional DEA funding will also go toward the addition of "at least four new heroin enforcement teams and DEA 360 Strategy programming."155

Other opioid-specific funding in FY2019 DOJ, DHS, and ONDCP appropriations includes

  • $9.0 million for the Opioid-Affected Youth Initiative;
  • $27.0 million for the COPS Program for improving tribal law enforcement, including anti-opioid activities among other purposes (the Tribal Resources Grant Program);
  • $32.0 million for anti-heroin task forces (composed of state law enforcement agencies) in areas with high rates of opioid treatment admissions to be used for counter-opioid drug enforcement;
  • $24.4 million for CBP for laboratory personnel, port of entry technology, canine personnel, and support staff for opioid detection;
  • $44.0 million for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for additional personnel (criminal investigators, special agents, intelligence analysts, and support personnel) for domestic and international opioid/fentanyl-related investigations;
  • $8.5 million for DHS research and development related to opioids/fentanyl; and
  • $3.0 million for ONDCP for Section 103 of CARA - Community-based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crises.156

Is there an estimate for how much DOJ and other departments spend on the opioid epidemic?

It is problematic, for many reasons, to identify and sum opioid funding. The amounts listed in the section above represent instances where Congress provided opioid-specific funding for agencies and programs within DOJ, DHS, and ONDCP only. It does not include funding for some broader drug programs, such as HIDTA, unless there was a specific appropriation for opioid-related activity. Some programs that can be used for opioid-related purposes—such as the JAG program, which is used for wide-ranging criminal justice purpose areas—are not included in the list. For some programs for which Congress specified opioid-related purposes, the amount appropriated for the program is not necessarily, and often is not, entirely for opioid-related issues.

The Opioid Epidemic and State Criminal Justice Policies

How have different states adapted their justice systems to deal with the opioid crisis?

Across the country, states have adapted elements of their criminal justice responses—including police, court, and correctional responses157—in a variety of ways due to the opioid epidemic. While this section does not provide a state-by-state analysis, it highlights several examples of how states' justice systems have responded to the opioid crisis. These examples were selected because they are some of the more common state policy approaches to confronting the opioid epidemic.

Many states are increasing law enforcement officer access to naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, in an effort to reduce the number of overdose deaths.158 Officers receive training on how to identify an opioid overdose and administer naloxone, and they carry the drug so they can respond immediately and effectively to an overdose. As of November 2018, over 2,400 police departments in 42 states reported that they had officers that carry naloxone159—this figure more than doubled over two years. In addition, most states that have expanded access to naloxone have also provided immunity to those who possess, dispense, or administer the drug. Generally, immunity entails legal protections (for civilians) from arrest or prosecution and/or civil lawsuits for those who prescribe or dispense naloxone in good faith.160

State and local law enforcement coordinate special operations and task forces to combat fentanyl and heroin trafficking in their jurisdictions. In addition to participation in federal initiatives, state and local police and district attorneys lead operations to dismantle trafficking networks in areas plagued by high numbers of opioid overdoses. For example, in southeast Massachusetts161 the Bristol County District Attorney recently announced the conclusion of a year-long investigation of a "highly organized and complex" fentanyl network that resulted in 11 arrests.162 This investigation was led by the Bristol Country District Attorney's office and involved several local police agencies, the Massachusetts State Police, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.163

Another criminal justice adaptation is the enactment of what are known as "Good Samaritan" laws to encourage individuals to seek medical attention (for themselves or others) related to an overdose without fear of arrest or prosecution. In general, these laws prevent criminal prosecution for illegal possession of a controlled substance under specified circumstances. While the laws vary by state as to what offenses and violations are covered, as of June 2017, 40 states and the District of Columbia have some form of Good Samaritan overdose immunity law.164

Most states have drug diversion or drug court programs165 for criminal defendants and offenders with substance abuse issues, including opioid abuse.166 Some states view drug courts as a tool to address rising opioid abuse and have moved to expand drug court options in the wake of the opioid epidemic. Over the last several years, the National Governors Association has sponsored various activities to assist states in combatting the opioid epidemic, including learning labs to develop best practices for dealing with opioid abuse treatment for justice-involved populations—such as the expansion of opioid addiction treatment in drug courts.167 In November 2017, the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis stated that DOJ should urge states to establish drug courts in every county.168

In recent years, several states have also enacted legislation increasing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for drug-addicted offenders who are incarcerated or have recently been released.169 In March 2019, SAMHSA released guidance to state governments on increasing the availability of MAT in criminal justice settings.170

Author Contact Information

Lisa N. Sacco, Analyst in Illicit Drugs and Crime Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
Kristin Finklea, Specialist in Domestic Security ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
Susan V. Lawrence, Specialist in Asian Affairs ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
Liana W. Rosen, Specialist in International Crime and Narcotics ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
Clare Ribando Seelke, Specialist in Latin American Affairs ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])

Acknowledgments

CRS Visual Information Specialist Amber Wilhelm and former CRS Research Assistant Kenny Fassel assisted with the graphics and data presented in this report.

Footnotes

1.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Opioid Basics—Commonly Used Terms," https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids/terms.html.

2.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Opioids, June 2018, https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids. This CRS report uses the common term "abuse" to encompass a range of behaviors that are not limited to addiction. Such behaviors are variously described as "illicit use," "non-medical use," or "misuse," among other terms. See, for example, the terms used in American College of Preventive Medicine, Use, Abuse, Misuse & Disposal of Prescription Pain Medication: Clinical Reference, Washington, DC, 2011; and Federation of State Medical Boards, Model Policy on the Use of Opioid Analgesics in the Treatment of Chronic Pain, July 2013, pp. 15-18.

3.

Subtypes of pain relievers include hydrocodone, oxycodone, tramadol, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine, oxymorphone, Demerol®, hydromorphone, and methadone. See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables, September 2018, Table 1.1A (hereinafter, Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables) and Methodological Summary and Definitions, Table C-1, https://www.samhsa.gov/data/.

4.

SAMHSA defines "misuse" of prescription drugs as "use in any way not directed by a doctor including use without a prescription of one's own medication; use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor." Prescription drugs do not include over-the-counter drugs.

5.

Some respondents fell into both categories, which is why the total (11.4 million) is lower than the two categories combined; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018, https://www.samhsa.gov/data/.

6.

SAMHSA defines "current use" as having used at least once in the past month.

7.

Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables.

8.

Monitoring the Future is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health.

9.

8th and 10th graders were not reported because the authors considered the data for this question from 8th and 10th graders to be of questionable validity.

10.

Only drug use not under a doctor's orders is included. A list of example narcotics, including Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet, was provided to the respondents. For more information, see Lloyd D. Johnston, et al., Monitoring the Future, National Survey Results on Drug Use: 2018 Overview, Key Findings on Adolescent Drug Use, The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, January 2019, Table 7, Trends in 30-Day Prevalence of Use of Various Drugs for Grades 8, 10, and 12 Combined.

11.

Kathryn F. Hawk, Federico E. Vaca, and Gail D'Onofrio, "Reducing Fatal Opioid Overdose: Prevention, Treatment and Harm Reduction Strategies," Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, vol. 88, no. 3 (September 3, 2015), pp. 235-245.

12.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Drug Overdose Deaths and Understanding the Epidemic, https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html; CDC, Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—United States, 2013–2017, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), January 4, 2019; and CDC, Data Brief 294. Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999-2016, data table for Figure 1, "Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates: United States, 1999-2016."

13.

The synthetic opioid category includes synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and tramadol, but methadone is excluded because the CDC tracks methadone deaths separately. See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Drug Overdose Deaths, https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/statedeaths.html.

14.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths – United States, 2013-2017, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 4, 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm675152e1.htm.

15.

Nora D. Volkow, What Science Tells Us About Opioid Abuse and Addiction, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, January 27, 2016, https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/testimony-to-congress/2016/what-science-tells-us-about-opioid-abuse-addiction.

16.

Ibid.; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018 Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes–United States, Surveillance Special Report., August 31, 2018, https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/2018-cdc-drug-surveillance-report.pdf; and National Institute on Drug Abuse, Opioid Overdose Crisis, revised January 2019, https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis.

17.

CDC calculated age-adjusted death rates as deaths per 100,000 in population using the direct method and the 2000 standard U.S. population. Crude death rates are influenced by the age distribution of a state's population. Age-adjusting the rates ensures that differences from one year to another or between two areas are not due to differences in the age distribution of a state's population.

18.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Increases in Fentanyl Drug Confiscations and Fentanyl-related Overdose Fatalities, October 26, 2015, https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00384.asp; and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, October 2018, p. 27 (hereinafter, 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment).

19.

The DEA manages the NFLIS, which is a program that systematically collects drug chemistry analysis results from federal, state, and local forensic laboratories.

20.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Addressing America's Fentanyl Crisis, April 6, 2017, https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2017/04/addressing-americas-fentanyl-crisis.

21.

For the 2017 NDTS, the DEA received 5,155 responses from 10,650 law enforcement agencies surveyed across the country. The DEA did not conduct the NDTS in 2018.

22.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment, November 2017.

23.

Not all controlled prescription drugs (CPDs) are opioids. According to the DEA, CPDs include, but are not limited to, "narcotics (e.g. Vicodin, OxyContin), depressants (e.g.Valium, Xanax), stimulants (e.g. Adderall, Ritalin), and anabolic steroids (e.g. Anadrol, Oxandrin)." See U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment, November 2017, p. 25.

24.

Ibid.; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment Summary, October 2015, p. 125; and 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. vi.

25.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. 22.

26.

According to the CDC, in the 1990s healthcare providers began using opioids "to treat chronic pain (not related to cancer), such as arthritis and back pain. As this continued, more opioid prescriptions were written, for more days per prescription, in higher doses." See CDC, Vital Signs – Opioid Prescribing, https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/opioids/index.html.

27.

U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center, National Drug Threat Assessment 2005, February 2005.

28.

One such doctor was David Procter, who established a pill mill operation from 1992 through 2001 in South Shore, KY. He is viewed as the "godfather of pills." See, for example, NPR, "How Heroin Made its Way From Rural Mexico to Small-Town America," May 19, 2015.

29.

"Pill mill" is a term used to describe a doctor, clinic, or pharmacy that is prescribing or dispensing narcotics inappropriately or for nonmedical reasons. They may be disguised as independent pain-management centers. They tend to open and shut down quickly to evade law enforcement.

30.

For more information on prescription drug monitoring programs, see CRS Report R42593, Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.

31.

In response to the problem of rogue internet websites that illegally sell and dispense controlled prescription drugs, Congress passed the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-425), which amended the Controlled Substances Act to expressly regulate online pharmacies. For more information, see CRS Report R43559, Prescription Drug Abuse.

32.

FDA approved the reformulation of OxyContin® to make it harder to crush and abuse. FDA also required a label warning of its addictive quality.

33.

On August 22, 2014, the DEA published a final rule in the Federal Register that administratively reschedules hydrocodone combination products from Schedule III to Schedule II, which subjects anyone who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses hydrocodone combination products to the more stringent regulatory requirements and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions that are applicable to Schedule II controlled substances. For more information on these actions, see CRS Report R43559, Prescription Drug Abuse.

34.

William N. Evans, Ethan M.J. Lieber, and Patrick Power, "How the Reformulation of Oxycontin Ignited the Heroin Epidemic," The Review of Economics and Statistics, vol. CI, no. 1 (March 2019); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Prescription Drugs and Heroin, December 2015; Pradip K. Muhuri, Joseph C. Gfroerer, and M. Christine Davies, Associations of Nonmedical Pain Reliever Use and Initiation of Heroin Use in the United States, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, August 2013, http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k13/DataReview/DR006/nonmedical-pain-reliever-use-2013.pdf; Theodore J. Cicero, Matthew S. Ellis, and Hilary L. Surratt, "Effect of Abuse-Deterrent Formulation of Oxycontin," New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 367, no. 2 (July 12, 2012), pp. 187-189; U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), National Drug Threat Assessment 2011, August 2011, p. 37; and DOJ, NDIC, National Drug Threat Assessment 2003, "Narcotics", January 2003.

35.

See CRS Report R45449, The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L.115-271): Medicare Provisions; CRS Report R45423, Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act; and CRS Report R45405, The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271): Food and Drug Administration and Controlled Substance Provisions.

36.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Justice Department, DEA propose significant opioid manufacturing reduction in 2019, August 16, 2018, https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2018/08/16/justice-department-dea-propose-significant-opioid-manufacturing-reduction.

37.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), "Established Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances and Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for 2019," 83 Federal Register 67348-67354, December 28, 2018.

38.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Prescription Drugs and Heroin, December 2015, pp. 4-5.

39.

Heroin has several different forms, including black tar, brown powder, and white powder. For more information, see DEA, Drugs of Abuse: A DEA Resource Guide, 2017 Edition, p. 42.

40.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), National Drug Threat Assessment 2005, February 2005.

41.

Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, The Price and Purity of Illicit Drugs: 1981 Through the Second Quarter of 2003, November 2004, p. 11.

42.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment, October 2017; and 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment.

43.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment.

44.

Mexican transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) work with local groups and street gangs for retail-level distribution.

45.

Ibid.

46.

Fentanyl and fentanyl compounds such as acetyl fentanyl and carfentanil are synthetic opioids with varying levels of potency. Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic and approved by the FDA. While some pharmaceutical fentanyl is diverted from legitimate use, illicit nonpharmaceutical fentanyl is the largest fentanyl threat in the United States. For more information, see U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Drugs of Abuse: A DEA Resource Guide, 2017 Edition, p. 40, and 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, pp. 21-37.

47.

Gray death is an illicit synthetic opioid mix that is reportedly 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. The formulations of seized samples have varied.

48.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. vi.

49.

Unless otherwise noted, opium poppy cultivation statistics in this paragraph are sourced from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Drug Report 2018, June 2019.

50.

See CRS In Focus IF10400, Transnational Crime Issues: Heroin Production, Fentanyl Trafficking, and U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation; and 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. 18.

51.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. 18, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2016 National Drug Threat Assessment Summary, p. 54.

52.

U.S. Department of State, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 1, March 2018.

53.

Ibid. See also "Mexican Officials Bust Fentanyl Lab in Mexico City," Reuters, December 13, 2018.

54.

Some reports have indicated that many active ingredients may come from countries such as China and India. See, for example, David Lazarus, "Where Do Prescription Drugs Come From? Good Luck Answering That Question," Los Angeles Times, May 15, 2018.

55.

For more information on prescription drug regulation and issues involving prescription drug importation, see CRS In Focus IF11056, Prescription Drug Importation.

56.

For more information on the pharmaceutical supply chain, see CRS Report R43106, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Security.

57.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. vi, and 97-99.

58.

For more information on heroin trafficking, see CRS Report R44599, Heroin Trafficking in the United States.

59.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. vi.

60.

Ibid.

61.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018, https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics.

62.

In this section, references to "fentanyl" mean illicitly produced fentanyl rather than legal pharmaceutical fentanyl, unless otherwise noted.

63.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, p. 21.

64.

Of note, in trying to counter fentanyl trafficking through the U.S. mail, Section 8003 of the SUPPORT Act required the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ensure transmission of advance electronic data of at least 70% of all inbound international mail and advance electronic data of 100% of inbound international mail from the People's Republic of China by December 31, 2018. By December 31, 2020, USPS is required to provide advance electronic data for 100% of inbound international mail shipments. For broader discussion, see CRS Report R45423, Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.

65.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, pp. 33-34.

66.

Ibid., p. 33.

67.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018, https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics.

68.

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment.

69.

This report does not discuss the roles of all federal agencies involved in countering illicit opioid trafficking.

70.

For more information on ONDCP, see CRS Report R45423, Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.

71.

21 U.S.C. §1703.

72.

For more information about the HIDTA program, see CRS Report R45188, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program. See also Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program.

73.

See, for example, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/key-issues/prescription-opioid-misuse/.

74.

21 U.S.C. §1706(a)(2).

75.

Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Heroin Response Strategy, Annual Program Report for 2016, May 2, 2017, p. 1.

76.

Ibid.

77.

One example is the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC). One of CTAC's programs was the Technology Transfer Program, which supported state and local law enforcement agencies' counterdrug missions through technology and training. The CTAC program was discontinued in FY2011. For more information on CTAC and its creation and cancellation, see Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), National Drug Control Strategy: Budget Summary, February 1994, p. 123; and ONDCP, National Drug Control Strategy: FY2011 Budget Summary, 2010, p. 149.

78.

The competition deadline was April 24, 2019. For more information, see https://www.opioiddetectionchallenge.com/.

79.

U.S. Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, FY 2020 Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement President's Budget.

80.

Ibid., p. 21.

81.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA 360 Strategy: Working Together to Break the Cycle of Drug Trafficking, Drug Violence, and Drug Abuse, p. 1.

82.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 360 Strategy—Law Enforcement, https://admin.dea.gov/360-strategy-law-enforcement.

83.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The 2016 Heroin Signature Program Report, October 2018, p. 2.

84.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FY 2019 Performance Budget Congressional Submission.

85.

Ibid., p. 47.

86.

See, for example, Department of Justice, "20 Individuals Charged with Trafficking Heroin and Fentanyl," press release, December 13, 2016.

87.

For more information on the Dark Web, see CRS Report R44101, Dark Web.

88.

See, for example, Department of Justice, "Attorney General Jeff Sessions Announces Results of J-Code's First Law Enforcement Operation Targeting Opioid Trafficking on the Darknet," press release, April 3, 2018.

89.

Testimony of Casey Owen Durst, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, before U.S. Congress, House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, Combating Opioid Smuggling, 115th Cong., 2nd sess., June 19, 2018.

90.

Ports of entry include land, air, and sea POEs.

91.

Data are available at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics.

92.

United States Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Annual Performance Report: Fiscal Year 2017, p. 14.

93.

Ibid.

94.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Annual Report FY2018, p. 5.

95.

Ibid., p. 20.

96.

Ibid. Annual reports from 2016 and 2017 were unavailable from USPIS at the time this report was published. CRS relies on the statement made by USPIS to describe the increase, but the volume of drugs seized in previous years remains unclear.

97.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA), enacted as Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-513), placed the control of select plants, drugs, and chemical substances under federal jurisdiction.

98.

For more details on the CSA regulatory requirements, see CRS Report RL34635, The Controlled Substances Act: Regulatory Requirements (available to congressional clients upon request).

99.

U.S. Congress, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Improving Predictability and Transparency in DEA and FDA Regulation, Statement of Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, 113th Cong., 2nd sess., April 7, 2014, p. 1.

100.

Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), there are five schedules under which substances may be classified—Schedule I being the most restrictive. Substances placed onto one of the five schedules are evaluated on potential for abuse, current scientific knowledge of the substance, risk to public health, and several other criteria. Of the more well-known opioids, heroin is categorized as a Schedule I drug, while oxycodone and hydrocodone have recognized medical use and are categorized as Schedule II. Per the CSA and regulation, the DEA establishes quotas to limit the quantity of Schedule I and II controlled substances that may be produced in a given calendar year. For more information on CSA regulations, see CRS Report RL34635, The Controlled Substances Act: Regulatory Requirements (available to congressional clients upon request).

101.

See 21 C.F.R. §§1301.36 and 1301.37. The DEA administrator may issue an immediate suspension order that suspends a registrant's DEA registration, and may do so simultaneously with an order to show cause proceeding if the continued registration (pending the administrative proceeding) would pose an imminent danger to public health or safety.

102.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), "Established Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances and Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for 2019," 83 Federal Register 67348-67354, December 28, 2018.

103.

Section 201 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; P.L. 114-198) amended Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the program, and the Reauthorizing and Extending Grants for Recovery From Opioid Use Programs (REGROUP) Act of 2018 (Sections 8091-8092 of the SUPPORT Act) reauthorized funding for the COAP through FY2023.

104.

Grantees may develop and implement strategies "to identify and provide treatment and recovery support services to 'high frequency' utilizers of multiple systems (e.g., health care, child welfare, criminal justice, etc.) who have a history of opioid misuse." See BJA, FY17 Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program Awards: Category 4: Statewide Planning, Coordination, and Implementation Projects, p. 1, https://www.bja.gov/funding/Category-4-awards.pdf.

105.

For more information on the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program, see U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program, https://www.bja.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?Program_ID=72.

106.

The conditions under which law enforcement may access state PDMP data is determined by state law. For more information about PDMPs, see CRS Report R42593, Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.

107.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Fact Sheet: 2018 COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program.

108.

For more information on drug courts, see CRS Report R44467, Federal Support for Drug Courts: In Brief.

109.

34 U.S.C. §§10611-10619.

110.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), FY2017 Performance Budget, p. 51, https://www.justice.gov/jmd/file/822366/download.

111.

CARA defines a qualified veteran as a preliminarily qualified offender who served on active duty in any branch of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves, and was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable, unless the reason for the dishonorable discharge was attributable to a substance abuse disorder.

112.

For more information on veterans treatment courts, see CRS Report R44467, Federal Support for Drug Courts: In Brief.

113.

See current and past OJJDP grant solicitations for the Drug Treatment Courts Program for additional details.

114.

For more information on the Byrne-JAG Program, see U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, https://www.bja.gov/jag/.

115.

For more information on this program, see U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), https://www.bja.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?Program_ID=66.

116.

34 U.S.C. §11131 et seq.

117.

34 U.S.C. §11311 et seq.

118.

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), OJJDP FY2019 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative.

119.

See U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program FY2019 Formula Grant Announcement, p. 9, https://www.bja.gov/funding/RSAT19.pdf.

120.

For more information, see U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation: Fiscal Year 2019 competitive grant announcement, https://www.justice.gov/tribal/page/file/1114606/download.

121.

See https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/OJPAwardData.htm.

122.

See https://www.bja.gov/Programs/FS-Opioids-Substance-Abuse-2018_508.pdf.

123.

International Narcotics Control Board, INCB: Scheduling of fentanyl precursors comes into force, press release, October 18, 2017, https://www.incb.org/incb/en/news/press-releases/2017/press_release_20171018.html.

124.

As part of the U.S. government's efforts to collect and exchange advance electronic data (AED) for international mail items, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has entered into bilateral agreements with foreign postal operators. Other countries have committed to enter into voluntary data sharing agreements. The USPS also engages foreign counterparts on the exchange of AED through the Kahala Posts Group (KPG), an international alliance of several large-volume postal operators that includes China. See S.Hrg. 115-317, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, "Combatting the Opioid Crisis: Exploiting Vulnerabilities in International Mail," January 25, 2018; and Robert Cintron, Vice President, Network Operations, USPS, prepared testimony for a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means, April 25, 2018.

125.

White House (Trump Administration), Statement from the Press Secretary, October 17, 2018, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-38/. An August 23, 2018, Presidential Memorandum had demanded reforms. See White House (Trump Administration), Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Homeland Security, Postmaster General, and Chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission, August 23, 2018, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-secretary-state-secretary-treasury-secretary-homeland-security-postmaster-general-chairman-postal-regulatory-commission/.

126.

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Addressing the Opioid Crisis, webpage, https://www.state.gov/j/inl/opioid/index.htm.

127.

Kirsten D. Madison, INL Assistant Secretary of State, State Department, prepared testimony for a hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Drug Control, October 2, 2018. See also Secretary Madison's prepared testimony for a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, September 6, 2018.

128.

Ibid.

129.

See CRS In Focus IF10890, Illicit Fentanyl, China's Role, and U.S. Foreign Policy Options.

130.

For the past three decades, for example, the DEA has maintained a liaison presence in China. Through DEA's Mexico City country office, it co-leads a Heroin Fentanyl Working Group (HFWG) and implements a U.S.-Mexico bilateral heroin strategy to increase intelligence sharing, coordination of investigations, training, sharing of forensic information, and the control of precursor chemicals. Other U.S. law enforcement agencies represented in China and Mexico include the FBI, as well as the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and CBP. See also the prepared testimonies of Paul E. Knierim, Deputy Chief of Operations, Office of Global Enforcement, DEA, and Matthew C. Allen, Assistant Director, Domestic Operations, ICE-HSI, prepared for a hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, October 2, 2018.

131.

Kirsten D. Madison, INL Assistant Secretary of State, State Department, prepared testimony for a hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Drug Control, October 2, 2018.

132.

See CRS In Focus IF10578, Mexico: Evolution of the Mérida Initiative, 2007-2019.

133.

Paul E. Knierim, Deputy Chief of Operations, Office of Global Enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), prepared testimony for a hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, October 2, 2018.

134.

See U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), "Justice Department Announces First Ever Indictment Against Designated Chinese Manufacturers of Deadly Fentanyl and Other Opiate Substances," press release, October 17, 2017; "Two Chinese Nationals Charged with Operating Global Opioid and Drug Manufacturing Conspiracy Resulting in Deaths," press release, August 22, 2018; and "Chinese National Living in Massachusetts Arrested and Charged with Distributing Opioids that were Shipped from China to the U.S. and Ultimately to Ohio," press release, July 24, 2017.

135.

21 U.S.C. 1901-1908 and 8 U.S.C. 1182; U.S. Department of the Treasury, "Treasury Sanctions Chinese Fentanyl Trafficker Jian Zhang," press release, April 27, 2018. See also CRS In Focus IF10909, International Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions: An Overview.

136.

U.S. Department of the Treasury, "Treasury Targets Major Mexican Heroin Trafficking Organization," press release, May 2, 2017; "Treasury Increases Pressure on Mexican Heroin Traffickers," press release, March 6, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), "Justice, Treasury, and State Departments Announce Coordinated Enforcement Efforts Against Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion," press release, October 16, 2018; and "'The Drug Llama' Faces Federal Indictment and Mandatory Minimum Sentence for Distributing Fentanyl on Dark Web," press release, September 18, 2018.

137.

U.S. Department of State, INCSR, Volume 1, March 2019.

138.

UC San Diego, U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation: 2018-2024, March 2019, https://usmex.ucsd.edu/_files/Whitepaper_Security_Taskforce_March_26_Covers.pdf; Vanda Felbab-Brown, AMLO's Security Policy: Creative Ideas, Tough Reality, Brookings Institution, March 2019, https://www.brookings.edu/research/amlos-security-policy-creative-ideas-tough-reality/.

139.

UNODC, "Mexico and UNODC Present Second Opium Poppy Cultivation Survey," November 2018.

140.

Opium gum is a sticky substance that is obtained from the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy.

141.

U.S. Department of State, INCSR, Volume 1, March 2019.

142.

Ibid.

143.

"China Lists Another 32 New Psychoactive Substances," Xinhua, August 29, 2018, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/29/c_137428313.htm.

144.

Testimony of Daniel D. Baldwin, Section Chief, Office of Global Enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), before U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Combatting the Opioid Crisis: Exploiting Vulnerabilities in International Mail, 115th Cong., 2nd sess., January 25, 2018, https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/investigations/hearings/combatting-the-opioid-crisis-exploiting-vulnerabilities-in-international-mail.

145.

The White House, "President Donald J. Trump's State Visit to China," press release, November 10, 2017; and "Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the President's Working Dinner with China," December 1, 2018, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-regarding-presidents-working-dinner-china/; and @realDonaldTrump, December 5, 2018, https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1070312880095068160.

146.

The agencies are the Ministry of Public Security, National Health Commission, and National Medical Products Administration. "SCIO Briefing on Fentanyl-Related Substances Control," April 1, 2019, http://www.china.org.cn/china/2019-04/02/content_74637197.htm.

147.

Li identified these pending documents as "Opinions on a Number of Issues Concerning Applicable Laws to Criminal Cases of Fentanyl-Related Substances," "Commutation Table for Dependence of Fentanyl-Related Substances," and "Regulations on Prosecution Standards of Criminal Cases of Fentanyl-Related Substances."

148.

Michael Martina, "U.S. Welcomes China's Expanded Clampdown on Fentanyl," March 31, 2019, Reuters.

149.

Steven Lee Myers and Abby Goodnough, "China Bans All Types of Fentanyl, Cutting Supply of Deadly Drug to U.S. and Fulfilling Pledge to Trump," The New York Times, April 1, 2019.

150.

Testimony of Robert Cintron, Vice President, Network Operations, U.S. Postal Service, before U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Combatting the Opioid Crisis: Exploiting Vulnerabilities in International Mail, 115th Cong., 2nd sess., January 25, 2018, https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/investigations/hearings/combatting-the-opioid-crisis-exploiting-vulnerabilities-in-international-mail.

151.

See, for example, Department of Justice (DOJ), "Attorney General Sessions Announces New Indictments in International Fentanyl Case," April 27, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-sessions-announces-new-indictments-international-fentanyl-case.

152.

CRS published a series of reports on the SUPPORT Act. See CRS Report R45449, The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L.115-271): Medicare Provisions; CRS Report R45423, Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act; and CRS Report R45405, The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271): Food and Drug Administration and Controlled Substance Provisions.

153.

For specific line item amounts, see H.Rept. 116-9.

154.

U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2019, and for Other Purposes, Conference Report to Accompany H.J. 31, 116th Cong., February 13, 2019, p. 103.

155.

Ibid., p. 623.

156.

The goal of the Community-based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crises Program is to prevent and reduce the abuse of opioids or methamphetamines and the abuse of prescription medications among youth. For amounts for all programs listed, see U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2019, and for Other Purposes, Conference Report to Accompany H.J. 31, 116th Cong., February 13, 2019.

157.

Not all states respond by adapting every component of the criminal justice system.

158.

National Conference of State Legislatures, Drug Overdose Immunity and Good Samaritan Laws, June 5, 2017, http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/drug-overdose-immunity-good-samaritan-laws.aspx.

159.

North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC), Law Enforcement Departments Carrying Naloxone, http://www.nchrc.org/law-enforcement/us-law-enforcement-who-carry-naloxone/.

160.

Some laws also provide disciplinary immunity for medical professionals.

161.

For opioid-related overdose death data in Massachusetts, see Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Current Opioid Statistics, https://www.mass.gov/lists/current-opioid-statistics.

162.

Curt Brown, "'Operation Ghost' nets 11 arrests in New Bedford fentanyl trafficking ring," South Coast Today, April 30, 2019.

163.

Ibid.

164.

National Conference of State Legislatures, Drug Overdose Immunity and Good Samaritan Laws, June 5, 2017, http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/drug-overdose-immunity-good-samaritan-laws.aspx.

165.

Some specialized court programs are designed to divert certain defendants and offenders away from traditional criminal justice sanctions such as incarceration while reducing overall costs and helping these defendants and offenders with substance abuse issues. Drug court programs may exist at various points in the justice system, but they are often employed post-arrest as an alternative to traditional criminal justice processing. For more information, see CRS Report R44467, Federal Support for Drug Courts: In Brief.

166.

National Governors Association, States Expand Opioid Addiction Treatment in Drug Courts, Corrections, April 11, 2017, https://www.nga.org/cms/news/2017/states-expand-opioid-addiction-treatment. For more information, see CRS Report R44467, Federal Support for Drug Courts: In Brief.

167.

National Governors Association, States Expand Opioid Addiction Treatment in Drug Courts, Corrections, April 11, 2017, https://www.nga.org/cms/news/2017/states-expand-opioid-addiction-treatment; and Drug Policy, https://www.nga.org/center/issues/drug-policy/.

168.

The President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, Final Report, November 1, 2017, p. 10.

169.

National Conference of State Legislatures, American Epidemic: Overdose on Opioids, State Legislatures Magazine, April 2016, http://www.ncsl.org/bookstore/state-legislatures-magazine/overdosed-on-opioids.aspx.

170.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Criminal Justice System: Brief Guidance to the States, March 2019, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Medication-Assisted-Treatment-MAT-in-the-Criminal-Justice-System-Brief-Guidance-to-the-States/PEP19-MATBRIEFCJS.