Facts and Figures

Learn about statistics, trends, and other relevant insights for behavioral health practitioners working to improve health outcomes.

DEA Fentanyl Seizures

Fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths in the U.S., with over 48,000 lives lost to synthetic opioids in 2004.¹ Despite a decline in overall overdose deaths in 2023, the presence of illicitly manufactured fentanyl remains a critical public health threat.

The DEA reports that in 2024, more than 60 million fake fentanyl-laced pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized, with amounts equal to over 380 million lethal doses. By mid-2025, another 36.8 million pills and 3,958 pounds of powder had been confiscated, reflecting the persistent scale of trafficking.²

These trends highlight the ongoing need for coordinated, community-based approaches to prevention, harm reduction, and treatment, particularly in underserved and disproportionately impacted communities.

Source: https://www.dea.gov/onepill#:~:text=DEA%20created%20this%20campaign%20to,Americans%20at%20an%20unprecedented%20rate. .

*If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use and related disorders, reach out to 988 for free, confidential support.*

Please see SAMHSA’s and other resources for addressing the fentanyl crisis:

• Drug Fact Sheet
• 10 Strategies to Prevent Your Young Person from Using Drugs
• What is Opioid Overdose? Treatment and Prevention
• Prescriptions and Opioids

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, May 14). Provisional drug overdose death counts. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/releases/20250514.html .
2. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2025, June 9). One pill Can Kill. https://www.dea.gov/onepill.