CDC Warning: New Drug 100 Times Deadlier Than Fentanyl Fuels 700% Spike in Deaths

One of President-elect Donald Trump’s key campaign promises—securing America’s borders—was pivotal in his path to Election Day victory. Among the many concerns tied to open borders, one of the most dire and destructive is the unregulated influx of lethal drugs into the United States.

A leading factor in the ongoing drug crisis is fentanyl.

As reported by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is “about 100 times more potent” than morphine and has emerged as “the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths” in the nation.

This is no laughing matter.

Alarmingly, fentanyl itself is now overshadowed by an even deadlier drug that is making its way into the country: carfentanil.

According to Fox News, “Last year, nearly 70% of all U.S. overdose deaths were attributed to illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs). One of those was carfentanil, an altered version of fentanyl that is said to be 100 times more potent, the CDC warned.”

Data from the CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System paints an even grimmer picture: “Deaths from carfentanil rose by more than 700% in the past year... there were 29 deadly overdoses between January and June 2023, and 238 in that same time frame in 2024.”

Although carfentanil first appeared in 2016 and seemed to vanish for a period, its resurgence could be even more lethal, as many deaths have likely gone unreported.

Fox News also highlighted that carfentanil’s ease of mass production has contributed to its reemergence, making it a preferred choice among illicit drug manufacturers.

This surge further complicates Trump’s daunting challenge of addressing the opioid epidemic.

While incumbent President Joe Biden has employed a more passive strategy, Trump has signaled his commitment to confront the issue directly. As he continues his search for the ideal DEA administrator, Trump has made it clear that combating both the border crisis and the influx of deadly drugs is a top priority.

Carfentanil isn’t the only chilling byproduct of fentanyl’s evolution.

In May 2023, horrifying footage from cities like Philadelphia revealed the devastating effects of “tranq,” a gruesome drug cocktail combining fentanyl with animal sedatives.

As Trump prepares for his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, those impacted by the opioid crisis are likely to hold onto the hope that his administration will deliver solutions to this devastating epidemic.