ONDCP Releases Trump Administration’s Statement of Drug Policy Priorities

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TLDR

This report outlines the Trump Administration’s drug policy priorities through six key strategies: reducing overdose fatalities (especially from fentanyl), securing global supply chains, stopping cross-border drug flow, preventing initial drug use, providing effective treatment for recovery, and innovating in research and data collection. The administration has designated eight international cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and emphasizes a coordinated approach across all government levels, law enforcement, healthcare, and community organizations.

The Trump Administration has released its Drug Policy Priorities through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), outlining a comprehensive approach to combat the drug crisis in America. This policy framework acknowledges the urgent need to address the epidemic of drug overdoses, particularly those driven by fentanyl and other synthetic substances.

The administration recognizes that the opioid crisis, fueled by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, continues to claim thousands of American lives. The policy document emphasizes that the administration has already taken critical steps through Executive Orders to secure borders, combat drug trafficking organizations, and demand reform from source countries.

A key element of the administration’s approach has been designating eight international cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), providing new authorities to target these networks and their supply chains.

The administration’s drug control strategy focuses on six key areas:

  1. Reduce the Number of Overdose Fatalities, with a Focus on Fentanyl
  • Expanding access to overdose prevention education and naloxone
  • Raising awareness through public health campaigns
  • Encouraging state and local efforts for law-enforcement-assisted diversion
  • Increasing availability of drug test strips and naloxone
  • Pursuing harsh penalties for those responsible for overdose deaths
  1. Secure Global Supply Chain Against Drug Trafficking
  • Engaging in multilateral efforts with source countries
  • Exercising economic powers against non-compliant source countries
  • Leveraging intelligence to detect, interdict, and disrupt illicit drug distribution
  • Developing new mechanisms for collecting and sharing target information
  1. Stop the Flow of Drugs Across Borders and into Communities
  • Enhancing border security with advanced technology and increased personnel
  • Utilizing all existing authorities, both punitive and economic
  • Leveraging Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs)
  • Holding states and localities accountable for addressing illicit drugs
  • Prosecuting individuals responsible for drug distribution
  1. Prevent Drug Use Before It Starts
  • Encouraging educational campaigns and evidence-based prevention programs
  • Collaborating with state and local organizations
  • Using all forms of media, especially social media, to raise awareness
  • Building resilience in youth and promoting healthy behaviors
  1. Provide Treatment That Leads to Long-Term Recovery
  • Ensuring effective, timely, and evidence-based treatment is available
  • Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
  • Improving integration of mental health treatment with support services
  • Strengthening peer recovery support services workforce
  1. Innovate in Research and Data to Support Drug Control Strategies
  • Prioritizing collection and analysis of accurate, timely data
  • Leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI and machine learning
  • Enhancing information sharing and employing rigorous methodologies
  • Monitoring trends to identify and address emerging threats

The administration emphasizes that this approach requires coordination across all levels of government, collaborating with law enforcement, healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals to ensure the health and well-being of all Americans.

The Administration will focus on six key areas in its first year

Today, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is announcing the release of the Trump Administration’s Drug Policy Priorities, a comprehensive and coordinated blueprint to reduce the devastating impact of illicit drugs on American society. The Statement lays out the urgent, first-year steps that must be taken to address the scourge of illicit drug use that continues plaguing our nation and taking American lives. The implementation of these priorities will complement President Trump’s tireless efforts to stop Foreign Terrorist Organizations, cartels, and drug traffickers from harming Americans, and will help build a safer, healthier future for America.

In the next year, the White House will work across the government to implement the following six priorities:

  1. Reduce the Number of Overdose Fatalities, with a Focus on Fentanyl
  2. Secure the Global Supply Chain Against Drug Trafficking
  3. Stop the Flow of Drugs Across our Borders and into Our Communities
  4. Prevent Drug Use Before It Starts
  5. Provide Treatment That Leads to Long-Term Recovery
  6. Innovate in Research and Data to Support Drug Control Strategies

“Terrorists, cartels, and other drug traffickers are taking hundreds of thousands of American lives by poisoning them for profit,” said Jon Rice, the ONDCP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director. “To meet the urgent need of this moment, the Trump Administration is launching an unprecedented whole-of-government effort to stop these drugs from entering our communities and hold drug traffickers accountable. The priorities in this framework outline the first steps to kick cartels out of our country, free Americans from the deadly grip of addiction, and guide America back to health and safety.”

To achieve our vision of a safer, healthier future for Americans, we will disrupt the supply chain from tooth to tail. We will continue to take decisive action and exploit all existing authorities, both punitive and economic, to eliminate the production and distribution networks that allow these drugs to reach the United States. We will develop bold policy choices, employ innovative and sophisticated technology, and create a skilled, recovery-ready workforce to combat this crisis and ensure the safety of all Americans. Domestically, we must acknowledge the complexity of substance use disorder and addiction. The statistics surrounding drug use and overdose deaths mandate a comprehensive approach that emphasizes drug use prevention and increases access to recovery and overdose prevention and reversal services. Recognizing that a sustainable solution requires coordination across all levels of government, we will collaborate with law enforcement, first responders, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and individuals to ensure the health and well-being of all Americans.

The staggering loss of life caused by illicit drugs underscores the severity of the challenge, but the Trump Administration has already taken critical steps to confront this crisis through a series of Executive Orders that secure our borders, combat foreign terrorist organizations and drug trafficking organizations, and demand reform by source countries from which illicit drugs and precursor chemicals flow into the United States. Critically, the Trump Administration will identify and hold accountable those responsible for exacerbating the flow of drugs within our borders.

While these Policy Priorities outline the broad areas of effort for the first year, the President’s drug control policy will evolve to keep pace with the changing landscape of illicit drug trafficking and ensure that our borders, communities, and schools are secure from the destructive influence of illicit drugs.

To read the Trump Administration’s Drug Policy Priorities, click here.