Drug Deaths Hit Historic Lows Under President Trump: Drug Czar Sara Carter at CPAC Combating Narco-Terrorism Summit

The past year marked a historic decline in drug-related fatalities, driven by the Trump Administration’s efforts to combat narco-terrorism at its source and secure the border. At the Combating Narco-Terrorism Summit, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or "Drug Czar," Sara Carter, spoke with CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp about the administration's progress in dismantling cartel networks and enforcing laws that keep America safe.

Schlapp pointed to the direct correlation between President Trump’s border wall and the immediate decline in drug fatalities, noting that illegal crossings have effectively reached net zero for the first time in decades. Carter affirmed that the Trump Administration has worked tirelessly over the last year to close the border to violent criminals, and they will continue to always look for ways to tighten national security that keeps Americans safe.

"We are seeing a 21% drop in fentanyl and overdose deaths in the United States over the past year, which for us is a huge success, but it's not good enough. We want to see that trajectory continue to go down; we want to protect not only American lives but the national security of this nation," said Carter.

The Trump Administration, Carter highlighted, has equipped law enforcement in the fight against narco-terrorist networks by providing federal resources, advanced technologies, and enhanced intelligence capabilities to Border Patrol and other federal agencies. This support equips officers with the essential tools to dismantle cartel operations and safeguard American communities from drug trafficking.

Carter emphasized the crucial role that Latin American countries can play in combating narco-terrorism by stopping these networks before they export narcotics to the United States. Through partnerships with Latin American allies, the Administration is targeting narco-terrorist networks at their source. These international partnerships have strengthened efforts to disrupt drug trafficking routes early, creating a coordinated, hemisphere-wide front against narco-terrorists.

The Trump Administration's proactive efforts to combat narco-terrorism, securing the border with net-zero illegal crossings, dismantling cartel networks through enhanced law enforcement resources and technology, and forging partnerships with Latin American nations, delivered a historic 21% drop in fentanyl and overdose deaths over the past year. While this significant progress is saving American lives and strengthening national security, the work remains ongoing, with a firm commitment to drive overdose rates even lower and eliminate the threat of narco-terrorism.