The Drug Enforcement Administration has launched Fentanyl Free America, a nationwide initiative designed to reduce the supply of illicit fentanyl and raise public awareness about its deadly impact. The campaign reflects the agency’s effort to protect communities from synthetic opioids that claimed nearly 50,000 American lives last year, according to CDC data. The launch underscores a broader strategy to pair enforcement with public education, community engagement and partnerships across federal, state and local levels.

The DEA reports significant pressure on the global fentanyl supply chain, with new intelligence suggesting cartel groups are being forced to change business practices. Laboratory testing shows a notable shift. Only 29 percent of fentanyl pills analyzed in fiscal year 2025 contained a potentially lethal dose, down sharply from 76 percent in 2023. Powder purity has also dropped, and synthetic opioid deaths have fallen to levels not seen since April 2020. These changes follow a year in which more than 45 million fentanyl pills and over 9,300 pounds of powder were seized, removing an estimated 347 million lethal doses from circulation.

Operation Fentanyl Free America, launched across 23 domestic field divisions and seven foreign offices, has already produced concrete enforcement results. In the Chicago Field Division alone, seizures included fentanyl powder, counterfeit pills, methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms and millions in U.S. currency. Agents made 59 arrests and conducted dozens of administrative actions. Alongside enforcement, the agency highlights a growing trend. Cartels are diversifying their operations to reduce risk and maximize profits, which reinforces the need for coordinated national action.

The campaign emphasizes that enforcement alone is not enough. Community leaders, educators, families, health professionals and law enforcement are encouraged to help prevent fentanyl poisonings by understanding the risks, sharing information and supporting those affected. Free public awareness resources, including posters, radio ads, billboards and social media materials, are available through the DEA. The agency frames Fentanyl Free America as part of a larger, whole-of-government effort to disrupt transnational criminal organizations and strengthen protection for U.S. communities.

Find more from DEA (USA, December 2025)