In recent days, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to combat drug addiction by allocating federal funds to support addiction recovery and awareness programs.

These funds from the Great American Recovery Initiative are expected to be used to consolidate various measures in prevention, treatment, and support for substance addiction.

Taking the opportunity, Trump shared his personal connection to addiction, mentioning the death of his brother Fred due to alcohol-related issues. This personal connection has motivated his commitment to combating addiction, which has been a priority since his first term in 2019.

Trump presented the Great Initiative as a comprehensive effort to address this national public health emergency.

Drug addiction problems

Substance addiction has become a problem affecting millions of citizens and claiming tens of thousands of lives each year. Although overdose death rates have shown significant declines since 2022, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in the past year. With approximately 48 million people aged 12 and older (17% of this population) experiencing substance use disorders in 2024, the magnitude of the challenge demands coordinated and effective responses from the federal government to local communities. The landscape of drug use in the United States reveals a complex and multifaceted reality, where different substances compete for the attention of health and law enforcement authorities. Cannabis: The Most Used Drug Cannabis is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States, with 52.5 million people (approximately 19% of the population) having used cannabis at least once in 2021, according to the CDC. A 2024 study revealed that 17.7 million people reported being daily consumers, or almost daily, of cannabis, surpassing even daily alcohol consumption.

More than 20 states have legalized its recreational and medicinal use, generating a significant regulated market. However, a black market controlled by criminal groups from Latin America and Asian countries persists.

Fentanyl:A Deadly Threat

Fentanyl has become the deadliest drug in the United States. In 2023, 81.4% of overdose deaths in the United States involved opioids, primarily fentanyl. In Texas, for example, authorities report that an average of five Texans die every day from fentanyl poisoning.

This potent synthetic opioid, originally developed to treat chronic pain in cancer patients, has found a devastating illegal market.

The drug is known on the streets by names such as Goodfellas, King Ivory, and Murder 8, according to the DEA.

Methamphetamines and Cocaine: Stimulants on the Rise

31% of substance-related deaths in the United States are caused by psychostimulants, primarily methamphetamines. Data from 2023 shows that 2.6 million people used methamphetamine in the past year, while 5 million used cocaine.

Globally, cocaine production, seizures, and consumption reached new highs in 2023, making it the fastest-growing illicit drug market.

Illegal production emerged to 3,708 tons, nearly 34% higher than in 2022.

Heroin: Declining, but Deadly

Since 2019, heroin use has decreased by 70%. However, its danger persists because it is frequently combined with fentanyl, making it impossible to distinguish with the naked eye.

More than three-quarters of heroin-related deaths also involve fentanyl

Alcohol and Other Substances

An estimated 28.9 million Americans aged 12 and older (10.2% of this population) experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past year. Excessive alcohol consumption represents economic costs that were estimated at $249 billion annually in 2010. You may also be interested in: • Overdose deaths in the US decreased during 2025 • Substance use among adolescents: perspectives from a national study

Fentanyl: A Deadly Threat

Fentanyl has become the deadliest drug in the United States. In 2023, 81.4% of overdose deaths in the US involved opioids, primarily fentanyl. In Texas, for example, authorities report that an average of five Texans die every day from fentanyl poisoning.

This potent synthetic opioid, originally developed to treat chronic pain in cancer patients, has found a devastating illegal market. The drug is known on the streets by names such as Goodfellas, King Ivory, and Murder 8, according to the DEA.

Methamphetamines and Cocaine: Stimulants on the Rise

31% of substance-related deaths in the United States are caused by psychostimulants, primarily methamphetamines. Data from 2023 shows that 2.6 million people used methamphetamine in the last year, while 5 million used cocaine. Globally, cocaine production, seizures, and consumption reached new highs in 2023, making it the fastest-growing illicit drug market.Illegal production soared to 3,708 tons, almost 34% more than in 2022. Heroin: Declining, but Deadly. Since 2019, heroin use has decreased by 70%. However, its danger persists because it is frequently combined with fentanyl, making it impossible to distinguish with the naked eye.

More than three-quarters of heroin-related deaths also involve fentanyl

Alcohol and Other Substances

An estimated 28.9 million Americans aged 12 and older (10.2% of this population) experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past year. Excessive alcohol consumption represents economic costs that were estimated at $249 billion annually in 2010.

You may also be interested in:

· US overdose deaths projected to decline by 2025 · Teen substance use: insights from a national study