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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is stepping up its fight against fentanyl with Fentanyl Free America, a nationwide campaign to reduce both the supply and demand for the deadly drug. Last year, fentanyl caused nearly 50,000 deaths, highlighting the urgency of this crisis.

DEA is targeting the global fentanyl supply chain and putting pressure on criminal groups like the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels. Their efforts are showing results: in FY 2025, only 29% of tested fentanyl pills had potentially lethal doses, down from 76% in FY 2023. Fentanyl powder purity also dropped from 19.5% to 10.3%, and deaths from synthetic opioids have fallen to levels not seen since 2020.

DEA has seized more than 45 million pills and 9,000 pounds of powder, removing roughly 347 million deadly doses. Cartels are shifting to powder trafficking and making pills domestically, as seen in recent pill press seizures.

Fentanyl Free America also urges communities—parents, teachers, doctors, and law enforcement—to educate, prevent overdoses, and support those affected. Free resources are available at dea.gov/fentanylfree.

The campaign is part of a larger effort to break criminal networks and protect American lives.