DEA warns of ‘nationwide spike’ in fentanyl-related mass-overdose deaths, as border crisis rages

The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning of a “nationwide spike” in fentanyl-related mass overdoses as it says the drug is killing Americans at an “unprecedented” rate – deaths that top Republicans are tying to the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

“The DEA is seeing a nationwide spike in fentanyl-related mass-overdose events involving three or more overdoses occurring close in time at the same location,” the agency said in a letter to federal, state and local law enforcement.

The agency said there have been at least seven mass-overdose events, involving 58 overdoses and 29 deaths. The overdoses occurred in states including Colorado, Texas, Nebraska and Florida.

The agency said that many of the victims believed they were taking cocaine, and did not know that it was laced with fentanyl – a deadly drug that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine.

“Fentanyl is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in a separate statement. “Already this year, numerous mass-overdose events have resulted in dozens of overdoses and deaths. Drug traffickers are driving addiction, and increasing their profits, by mixing fentanyl with other illicit drugs. Tragically, many overdose victims have no idea they are ingesting deadly fentanyl, until it’s too late.” – READ MORE