Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Smuggled by Mexican Drug Cartels
Fentanyl and methamphetamine are the two illegal drugs causing the most damage across the United States. With fentanyl, there is now an explosion of drug overdoses caused by this synthetic opioid. With methamphetamine, criminal acts fueled by crystal meth abuse continue to damage small towns and big cities. Indeed, the two drugs are a plague on the nation.
At Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC), treating people abusing fentanyl and methamphetamine is a priority. As a result, the Substance Use Disorder program at TTC offers the latest treatment services for the misuse and abuse of these drugs. Given the toxic impact of these two drugs – fentanyl as an ultra-powerful narcotic and methamphetamine as an ultra-powerful stimulant – treatment is no longer an option. Indeed, today treatment for fentanyl and methamphetamine is a necessity.
Fentanyl and Methamphetamine = Illegal Profit Margins.
For the Mexican drug cartels, fentanyl and methamphetamine are the crown jewels of their product lines. Hence, the drug cartels are now smuggling the two drugs in tandem. In the past month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing in El Paso, Texas, intercepted a scary load of drugs. In a single smuggling attempt, 26 pounds of methamphetamine and 10 pounds of fentanyl make up the combined prize.
As CBP El Paso Port Director Ray E. Provencio explains, “Most smuggling cases involve a single type of drug. Seeing large amounts of two hard drugs being smuggled together is notable.” Moreover, the smuggling of fentanyl and methamphetamine means the Mexican drug cartels are bringing their two moneymakers together. In addition, the drug cartels use Americans to smuggle drugs across the border. Thus, an 18-year-old American kid was the driver of the vehicle.
After a thorough search of the vehicle holding the drugs, leading CBP officers located 25 bundles concealed within the car. Twenty-one of the bundles contained 26.23 pounds of methamphetamine, and four had 10.09 pounds of fentanyl. Incredibly, the street value of this load of fentanyl is close to a million dollars, and the street value of this load of methamphetamine is well over a million dollars. Thus, imagine how much is getting through the borders.
Medications for Addiction Treatment and Fentanyl Abuse
Given the illegal drugs pouring into the United States, TTC offers cutting-edge solutions to SUD treatment. For example, when it comes to fentanyl abuse, TTC offers Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) as a recovery option. Without question, MAT Services increase recovery outcomes by taking the edge off of withdrawal management. Indeed, MAT Services saves lives.
Recovery from drug addiction equals a kind of freedom. The nickname of the Bridge of the Americas, which crosses the Rio Grande, is the free bridge. Unlike other bridges, it does not charge a toll to cross over in the United States. Indeed, it represents the best of the immigrant spirit of this country. It is sad to see such a symbol of freedom spoiled by the toxic plague of drug smuggling.
Today, embracing a path of recovery is a sign of personal freedom. After all, the cycle of addiction is like a kind of self-imprisonment. By embracing recovery, you can open the door to true freedom. If you or a loved one needs help with a substance use disorder, please contact the SUD treatment team at TTC today.