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America’s fentanyl crisis is a national failure. Blaming China won’t fix it.

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2025

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By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

When a U.S. mayor recently floated the outrageous idea of “giving free fentanyl” to homeless people, the public backlash was swift and fierce. The episode once again exposed the severity of America’sfentanyl crisis. Yet rather than confronting its domestic failures, Washington has repeatedly turned to scapegoating – citing the fentanyl issue as a pretext to impose additional tariffs on imports from China.

This pattern of deflection does nothing to resolve America’s own problems and instead risks jeopardizing the foundation for China-U.S. cooperation on drug control.

Eventoday, the U.S. has yet to fully and permanently regulate fentanyl-related substances, and its sluggish regulatory response has only worsened drug abuse and the proliferation of narcotics.

Despite being home to just 5 percent of the world’s population, the country accounts for 80 percent of global opioid use – a veritable black hole in global drug control efforts.

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were an estimated 74,702 overdose deaths from synthetic opioids – primarily fentanyl – in the U.S. during 2023, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all drug overdose fatalities. For Americans aged 18 to 45, the leading cause of death is fentanyl.

Confronted with what has been described as “the singledeadliest drug threat America has ever encountered,” the U.S. government has yet to deliver a coherent or effective response. It has failed to reduce domestic demand, strengthen oversight of prescription medications, or enhance public awareness of the harms associated with drug abuse. To this day, a comprehensive anti-drug policy remains elusive.

According to a survey commissioned by PAX sapiens, when asked to select a single group most responsible for the opioid crisis, criminal cartels were most frequently identified followed by the pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. federal government. As the Atlantic has noted, addressing the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. requiressweeping reforms across public policy, law enforcement, and the legal system.

As one of the countries with the strictest anti-drug policies and the most rigorous enforcement in the world, China maintains a zero-tolerance attitude towarddrugs, including fentanyl-related substances, and rigorously meets its international drug control obligations.

In March this year, China released a white paper titled “Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances — China’s Contribution,” highlighting its rigorous control over the chemicals. China has exercised strict supervision over fentanyl-related medications, struck hard against fentanyl-related crimes, enforced strict control over precursors of fentanyl-related substances, accelerated technology research, development and application, adopted comprehensive measures for more efficient drug control, and promoted global governance.

Despite the absence of widespread fentanyl abuse domestically, Chinabecame the first country in the world to officially schedule fentanyl-related substances as a class in 2019 out of humanitarian goodwill and at the request of the U.S. side. Since China’s regulation, there have been no cases of fentanyl-related substances being smuggled and trafficked from China to other countries – and no reports from the U.S. of seizures of such substances originating from China.

Even the U.S. Department of State, in its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, acknowledged that America had detected or seized almost no shipments of fentanyl or fentanyl analogues coming from China since 2019, when China implemented class-wide controls of all forms of fentanyl.

In recent years, the precursors of fentanyl-related substances have constantly changed, and the number of variations soared. China has consistently strengthened precursor control, adopted multi-level and category-specific supervision, strictly supervised exports, and curbed the diversion of precursor chemicals. It has also carried out sustained and in-depth cooperation with relevant countries, including the U.S. and Mexico, yielding notable results in addressing the cross-border diversion of fentanyl precursors.

Drug law enforcement is a central focus of cooperation between China and the United States. The China-U.S. Counternarcotics Working Group, established in 2024, provides an important platform for the two sides to jointly address global drug challenges.

In July 2024, an interdepartmentalChinese delegation visited the U.S. to attend the first senior official meeting of the working group. The drug control authorities of the two countries also maintain daily hotline communication and host regular exchange meetings. The two sides have been working pragmatically to promote dialogue and cooperation in drug control and law enforcement.Since 2024, multiple exchangeshave been conducted to promote technical cooperation and strengthen technical support in addressing the fentanyl issue.

As reported by the Diplomat, China-U.S. cooperation on fentanyl can save lives, protect societies, and punish drug traffickers.

The unilateral imposition of tariffs by the U.S. on goods imported from China under the pretext of the fentanyl issue severely violates the rules of the World Trade Organization. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the action, and has taken necessary countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests.

China upholds a clear and principled position on its cooperation with the U.S. on drug control: It is committed to dialogue and cooperation based on equality and mutual respect. The U.S. should respect the facts, confront its own problems, and make choicesthat truly serve the interests of its own people. It must stop using the fentanyl crisis as a pretext topressure, threaten, or blackmail China.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

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Kwara: Ifelodun Travellers Transport System Revived

Published

13 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Our Reporter

As Council Signs MoU With P&A Contract Ltd

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ifelodun local Government, under the leadership of Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with P & A Contract Limited for the construction of a modern motor park in Amoyo, as the Council moves to revive the Ifelodun Travellers transport system and improve transportation within the Local Government.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony at the Council s Contact Office in Amoyo, the Chairman explained that the decision to construct the motor park was driven by the need for Ifelodun Local Government to establish its own transport identity, intended to ease people’s transportation problem.

He recalled that residents travelling to and from Ifelodun had, over the years, relied on transport facilities at Offa Garage and Maraba in Ilorin, stressing the need to create a dedicated transport hub that would serve the people of the Local Government.

“At some point in the history of Ifelodun Local Government, we had Ifelodun Travellers, which does not exist anymore. I don’t think there is anything wrong with bringing that identity back to the limelight. Now, we want to add value to that identity,” the Chairman said.

He added that the Council was also working with relevant stakeholders to bring in 10 units of Korope buses, which would commence operations as soon as possible.

“We are working with the NURTW, Kwara State Chapter, for guidance and to ensure that the operation runs smoothly,” he added.

The Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Kolo Rebecca, explained that the proposed park would feature several amenities, including a garage, warehouse, 100-unit shopping complex, parking spaces and general toilets.

She said the facilities were designed to boost economic activities, improve the image of the Local Government and provide a more convenient transportation system for residents.

According to her, the initiative is also in line with the efforts of the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to take governance and development directly to the grassroots.

The contractor, Mallam Jimoh Toheeb Abolore, assured the Local Government of the prompt execution of the project, promising that the construction would meet the required standards and contribute positively to the image and development of Ifelodun Local Government.

Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman, Hon. Nike Ajibola; Secretary to the Local Government, Dr. Kamil Akorede; DPM, Mallam Ayinde Salman; LGT, Mallam Usman Waheed; Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Chief Ademola Zubair; Head of Works, Engr. Awodi Muhammad; Land officer, Tola Kadir and other Special Assistants.

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Lawyer Demands Release of Detained Kano Blogger, Maryam Shehu

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, has called for the immediate release of Kano-based blogger, Maryam Shehu, who he said has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for almost 30 days.

Dantani, in a statement on Monday, said the prolonged detention of Shehu was becoming difficult to reconcile with the rule of law and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly her fundamental right to personal liberty.
He questioned why Shehu should remain in detention for nearly 30 days, particularly over an offence he described as ordinarily bailable.

“How on earth can a person be detained for almost 30 days and counting, particularly in relation to an offence that is ordinarily bailable, without meaningful consideration of her liberty and constitutional rights?” he asked.
Dantani said the EFCC’s powers to investigate did not give the commission the right to detain a suspect indefinitely, punish her before trial or disregard her fundamental rights.

He also criticised the alleged practice of photographing persons in EFCC custody and publishing their images online while they remain presumed innocent.
Citing Section 36(5) of the Constitution, Dantani said the law guarantees the presumption of innocence until a suspect is proven guilty by a competent court.

He warned that publicly portraying suspects as criminals before trial could amount to subjecting them to public punishment and humiliation.
“The EFCC is a law-enforcement institution. It must therefore be the first institution to demonstrate obedience to law. It cannot demand respect for law from citizens while appearing to disregard constitutional safeguards itself,” he said.

Dantani urged the commission to either charge Shehu before a competent court if it has credible evidence against her or release her immediately
.
“We call on EFCC to respect the Constitution, respect presumption of innocence and respect fundamental right to personal liberty. Investigation is not conviction. Detention is not punishment. And an allegation is not guilt,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Comment on Lionel Messi’s Tribute to His Dad Becomes Most-Liked Instagram Comment

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Fabian Apechihin

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, has reportedly become the most-liked comment in Instagram history.

Jorge Messi died on August 7 in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68. Five days later, Messi paid tribute to his late father in an emotional Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair.

In the post, Messi wrote, “Te amo, pa” — meaning “I love you, Dad” — alongside a lengthy tribute reflecting on his father’s influence and the pain of losing him.

Among the many reactions from fans, celebrities and fellow footballers was a message from Ronaldo.

“Un abrazo enorme para ti y los tuyos en estos duros momentos, Leo. Mucha fuerza,” Ronaldo wrote, which translates to: “A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”

Ronaldo’s comment reportedly attracted more than 6.86 million likes and over 86,000 comments, making it the most-liked comment on Instagram.

The previous record was also held by Ronaldo, whose comment on Kylian Mbappé’s announcement of his move to Real Madrid reportedly received more than five million likes.

Other football stars also expressed their condolences to Messi. Neymar Jr.’s message, translated as “Much strength for you and your family. Big hug,” reportedly received more than 1.6 million likes, while David Beckham’s comment expressing support for Messi and his family attracted more than 300,000 likes.

In his tribute, Messi described his father’s death as difficult to comprehend, saying he struggled to accept that he would no longer see or speak with him.

Messi also recalled how his father had encouraged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his deteriorating health. He said his father had hoped to watch him compete and had planned to travel if his condition improved.

According to Messi, he had promised his father that Argentina would reach the final so he could be there. Although Argentina reached the final, his father was unable to attend.

Reflecting on the loss, Messi said he had wanted to win the tournament and bring the trophy to his father but ultimately struggled physically during the competition.

The emotional tribute highlighted the close bond between Messi and his father and the profound impact of his loss on the football superstar.