The opioid epidemic continues to rage in the U.S., a newly released report from the American Medical Association shows.
The report says that while doctors have reined in some of the harmful and much-criticized overprescribing that helped create the epidemic, opioid overdoses have remained near record levels.
While the AMA report doesn’t mention it, the crisis is in large part now fueled by fentanyl and other opioids that continue to pour into the U.S. due to the southern border crisis.
Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45, according to the DEA, and is responsible for about 70% of overdoses.
“We all have work to do to end this epidemic,” AMA President Bruce Scott said in a statement. “We know that the status quo isn’t working. Our hope is that this report helps propel public health and patient focused actions. The AMA is ready to work with everyone to save lives and improve outcomes.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection earlier this year highlighted their role in stopping the opioid epidemic, which has been fueled by administrative policies that have allowed millions of migrants to flood into the U.S.
“Customs and Border Protection has a large role in battling the opioid emergency, because we’re at the front lines, at the border,” Amy Schapiro, acting branch chief in the Integrated Planning Division of the Operations Support Office for CBP in Washington, D.C., said in a statement earlier this year. “Illicit fentanyl is produced outside the continental United States, so every time it’s being used, it’s somehow crossing our borders to get into this country. We’re fully committed to disrupting the illicit opioid supply chain and are actively working with our interagency partners.”
