Overview

• Fentanyl pill seizures increased 2,300 times from 2017 to 2023, with pills now comprising nearly half of all fentanyl seizures.
• The synthetic opioid, 50 times stronger than heroin, is often disguised as prescription medications, posing a lethal risk.
• Fentanyl was responsible for 70% of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2022, with over 200 fatalities daily.
• Most illicit fentanyl enters the U.S. through Mexico, with precursor chemicals primarily sourced from China and India.
• Public health officials stress the need for increased efforts to prevent these pills from reaching young people and unsuspecting users.