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Synthetic Fentanyl Drives Record Overdose Deaths In U.S. : Consider This from NPR During President Trump's first year in office, 42,000 Americans died of drug overdoses linked to heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids. After a minor decrease in 2018, deaths rose to a record 50,042 in 2019. That number will likely be even worse for 2020.

NPR's Brian Mann reports on the surge of synthetic fentanyl, especially in the western U.S.

And NPR's Emily Feng unveils a web of Chinese sellers exporting individual chemical components to produce fentanyl.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Consider This from NPR

America's Other Epidemic: The Opioid Crisis Is Worse Than 4 Years Ago

America's Other Epidemic: The Opioid Crisis Is Worse Than 4 Years Ago

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President Trump shows a presidential memorandum he signed on Oct. 26, 2017, at an event focused on the opioid crisis in the United States. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Trump shows a presidential memorandum he signed on Oct. 26, 2017, at an event focused on the opioid crisis in the United States.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

During President Trump's first year in office, 42,000 Americans died of drug overdoses linked to heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids. After a minor decrease in 2018, deaths rose to a record 50,042 in 2019. That number will likely be even worse for 2020.

NPR's Brian Mann reports on the surge of synthetic fentanyl, especially in the western U.S.

And NPR's Emily Feng unveils a web of Chinese sellers exporting individual chemical components to produce fentanyl.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Lee Hale, Brianna Scott, and Brent Baughman. It was edited by Sami Yenigun with help from Wynne Davis and Andrea de Leon. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.