On Monday, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction,” marking a significant shift in how the government addresses the opioid crisis. This designation elevates the synthetic opioid from a dangerous narcotic to a potential chemical weapon, highlighting the administration’s aggressive approach to combatting the drug epidemic.

The order mandates the Pentagon and the Department of Justice to implement more stringent measures against the production and distribution of fentanyl. Amid increasing military tactics against drug smuggling, the White House stated that this move “unleashes every tool to combat the cartels and foreign networks responsible for flooding communities with this deadly substance.” Additionally, the order warns that fentanyl could be weaponized for “concentrated, large-scale terror attacks by organized adversaries.”

Trump’s executive order asserts, “Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic.” However, the immediate impact of this designation on national policy remains uncertain. Current laws already prohibit the use or threat of weapons of mass destruction, which the Department of Homeland Security defines as “radiological, chemical, biological, or other devices intended to harm a large number of people.”

The claim that fentanyl could be used in significant terror attacks has faced skepticism from many drug policy experts. Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University specializing in drug-related research, stated, “Neither terrorist organizations nor militaries are using fentanyl as a weapon. It is not obvious to me that this is a threat.”

This executive order comes on the heels of the administration’s designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which provides a rationale for military action against them. Since early September, over 20 military strikes against suspected drug vessels have been executed in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in more than 80 deaths.

Experts emphasize that drug cartels primarily transport cocaine to the Caribbean rather than fentanyl, which is mostly sent to Europe. Moreover, there has been little documented evidence that the intercepted vessels were carrying illegal drugs.

Nonetheless, Trump has consistently threatened military action in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico to curb drug trafficking. His recent foreign policy document outlines a focus on reasserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, especially regarding the substantial flow of illicit fentanyl from Mexico, where many of the chemicals for its production are sourced from China.

Fentanyl remains a leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States, although such fatalities have declined in recent years. Trump continues to emphasize fentanyl as a major threat, proposing stricter trade policies and stiffer criminal penalties for traffickers. His administration has also misattributed the trafficking of fentanyl to undocumented individuals, using this narrative to justify stricter immigration enforcement.

Public health experts contend that the administration has not adequately addressed the ongoing addiction crisis in America. Criticism has been directed at cuts to staff and resources in federal agencies responsible for overseeing drug addiction treatment. Additionally, the administration has sought to withhold funding from harm reduction organizations that play a crucial role in addressing substance abuse.

Law enforcement and public health officials have also expressed concerns that reductions to Medicaid, which provides healthcare to low-income Americans, could severely undermine efforts to treat substance use disorders.