Mexico Forms Coalition to Combat Fentanyl Production and Trafficking
Mexico is taking action to combat the production, trafficking, and consumption of fentanyl by forming a coalition of countries. People have asked the country to do more to stop the drug cartels that are to blame for the deaths caused by fentanyl overdoses in the US.
Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced Mexico's plan to form a coalition of countries to combat the production, trafficking, and consumption of fentanyl. During a meeting with the Business Coordinating Council, Ebrard stressed the urgency of this issue, calling it a disaster if fentanyl use expands in Mexico. He also emphasized that fentanyl is not just a problem for the US but for everyone.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration has requested that Mexico take more action against the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel (New Generation), which are responsible for thousands of fentanyl overdose deaths in the US. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than morphine and is often mixed with other drugs. It is made in Mexico with chemicals that come from China and are then smuggled into the U.S.
Despite the DEA's requests, Ebrard did not directly address the agency's director, Anne Milgram, who had criticized Mexico for not doing enough to stop the cartels. But Ebrard said he was tired of people pointing fingers and said that everyone needs to work together to stop the rise in drug use and the violence that comes with it.
The United States is currently facing its largest drug crisis in history, with 107,000 overdose deaths last year. To address this issue, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has instructed the health system to report on death certificates when a death is due to an overdose. This will make it easier to measure the problem, gather information, and figure out which areas need more help.
In summary, Mexico plans to form a coalition to combat fentanyl, and the US has urged Mexico to take more action against the cartels responsible for fentanyl overdose deaths. The crisis is not just a US problem, and everyone must work together to address rising drug consumption and violence. President Lopez Obrador has taken steps to deal with the problem by making it so that overdose deaths must be reported on death certificates.
Caption: "Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced the country's plan to create a coalition of countries to combat fentanyl production and trafficking, stressing the urgent need to address the issue."
Alarming Rise in Fentanyl and Crystal Meth Use in Mexico
In 2022, the consumption of fentanyl and crystal meth will have increased by 500% among young people aged between 15 and 29 in Mexico, raising alarms among health authorities. The synthetic opioid fentanyl has become popular due to its potency, low cost of production, and easy availability.
In Latin America, more than 1.5 million people have died from fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine use in the past four years. The popularity of fentanyl has also increased in the United States, where overdose deaths have been reported recently. Crystal meth is more potent than morphine and is available on the streets at a lower price than other drugs.
Truck drivers, day laborers, and maquiladora workers have increased their consumption. The government has launched several alerts due to the overdoses in cities such as Tijuana and Monterrey. Mexican authorities seized more than 1,852 kilograms of fentanyl in 2021, a 100-fold increase from 2016.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid analgesic, is typically prescribed for severe pain, but illegally manufactured fentanyl has become popular in the illegal drug market due to its heroin-like effect. Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote for opioid-related overdoses.
