DemandZEO Foundation founder Lisa Deane tells ‘America’s Newsroom’ that President Biden was ‘not bold enough’ when announcing a deal with China to curb fentanyl. FIRST ON FOX: A new Senate report is sounding the alarm about a surge in deaths from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl among older Americans – as the U.S. continues to grapple with the danger of the drug, which is primarily smuggled in across the southern border.
“The Silent Epidemic: Fentanyl and Older Americans,” authored by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., the ranking member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging, highlights the alarming increase in overdose deaths among older Americans. The report reveals that overdose deaths among Americans aged 65 and older have quadrupled over the last two decades, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl are believed to be contributing to these fatalities.
According to the report, overdose deaths from synthetic opioids increased by 53% in just one year. Shockingly, between 1999 and 2019, over 79,000 Americans aged 55 and older died from an opioid overdose, with the rate of overdose deaths rising from 3 per 100,000 in 2002 to 12 per 100,000 in 2021.
The report emphasizes that fentanyl-related deaths have been plaguing the U.S. for years, with tens of thousands of deaths annually. In fact, 75% of over 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The illicit production of fentanyl primarily occurs in Mexico using Chinese precursors, which are then smuggled across the southern border.
While the Biden administration attributes the increase in seizures of the drug by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to improved screening and technology at ports of entry, Republicans argue that it is a result of the ongoing border crisis, suggesting that more of the drug could be getting through.
Fentanyl, known to be 50 times stronger than heroin and fatal in tiny doses, is often unknowingly consumed by older Americans through pills or drugs laced with the substance. The report sheds light on the fact that older Americans, who are long-term, stable users, are at risk of overdosing due to their drugs becoming infected by synthetics. Others turn to black-market prescription drugs either due to cost or to supplement their demand for medication after being cut off from legal channels.
The study reveals that Black men aged 55 and older have an opioid overdose rate four times higher than the overall same-age rate. Additionally, between 2017 and 2022, 72% of opioid overdose deaths in Washington, D.C. were among older Americans.
The report emphasizes that limited information, research, and data on substance use among older Americans hinder policy responses. It calls for a comprehensive approach that includes raising awareness among seniors about the lethal nature of synthetics found in drugs like Oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall. Furthermore, it recommends greater research and data coordination between state and federal governments to fully understand the impact on older Americans.
Sen. Mike Braun, who has been at the forefront of legislation to combat drug trafficking, including proposing penalties such as the death penalty, criticizes the Biden administration for what he describes as a “minimalist border security policy.” He highlights the urgent need to address the fentanyl crisis at its source, as it is robbing seniors of their golden years.
The report’s publication coincides with a committee hearing on the matter, where experts and officials will provide testimony. The Biden administration has highlighted its efforts in cracking down on the fentanyl crisis, including investments in technology, recovery, prevention, and international cooperation to curb smuggling.
As the U.S. confronts the alarming surge in fentanyl-related deaths among older Americans, this Senate report serves as a wake-up call for stronger action and a comprehensive approach to tackle the crisis. The devastating impact of fentanyl requires immediate attention and coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable populations and prevent further loss of life.
Adam Shaw, a politics reporter for Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security, contributed to this article.
