Power Play

When geopolitics gets in the way of the war on drugs

The US needs China's help to contain its drug crisis, in particular the abuse of fentanyl, but bilateral tensions risk turning the war on the illegal drugs trade into yet another area of discord.

Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 in the US in the year-long period ending last November. PHOTO: AFP
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Though overshadowed by the catastrophic death toll of the Covid-19 pandemic, America's longer-running drug epidemic continues to swing its deadly scythe through the nation nonetheless.

Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 in the United States in the year-long period ending last November, continuing an alarming annual rise in such deaths, which more than doubled over the past six years as fentanyl poured into America.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.