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Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Demand Reduction Forum
Talking Points

Introduction

• Fentanyl is emerging as a dangerous, synthetic drug threat in selected regions of the country. I know how important this is to you and your communities.

• As a Nation, and in each community, an anti-fentanyl strategy must have four characteristics:

  • It must have supply reduction and demand reduction components; this summit is an excellent metaphor for that balance.

  • It should involve a partnership between Federal and State/local authorities

  • It should incorporate accurate information – both data and intelligence – so that we can know how and when to respond, and identify success. o An anti-fentanyl demand reduction strategy cannot focus only on that drug: because it typically rides on the back of heroin or occasionally cocaine, we must continue demand reduction efforts in those populations.

The Administration’s Role

• As you have heard from other Federal representatives, we are focused, at the Federal level, on understanding:

  • Where the problem exists, looking in particular at reports from medical examiners

  • What the source of the fentanyl is

  • What production methods are being used

• We are hopeful that:

  • the Janssen method is the only production method that has been used;

  • that cooks and distributors are not deluded into believing that they can more effectively “cut” the fentanyl into the heroin or cocaine (this is dangerous stuff no matter how you ingest it)

  • the combined efforts of Federal, International (Mexican), and State/local law enforcement, which have already yielded results, will soon prove to have eliminated a major source of fentanyl – and identify any others.

• You can help us help you:

  • You have been very helpful in providing timely and accurate information (particularly on deaths, but also overdoses) from medical examiners; this should continue

  • For the law enforcement community, understanding methods of production is also important

  • The prevention and treatment communities play a critical role in educating those struggling with heroin and cocaine addiction about these additional dangers

Concluding thoughts

• There is no drug market – cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana – that does not respond to pressure. Fentanyl is unusually dangerous, but it is not unusually resistant to pressure.

• Both your supply reduction, and demand reduction, activities can combine to eliminate this pernicious and deadly drug. Thank you for your efforts.