

Providing actionable recommendations for U.S. domestic and international policies to the fentanyl epidemic and lessons for other governments.
Over the past three decades, the United States has faced an unprecedented opioid crisis, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl driving overdose deaths to catastrophic levels. Although overdose fatalities declined by nearly 25% from 2023 to 2024, the crisis is far from over.
Recent domestic policy changes by the Trump administration herald a new phase in the U.S. government’s response to the deadly epidemic. The Trump administration’s external counternarcotics policies also push drugs into an unprecedented level of prominence in U.S. geopolitical and trade relations while synthetic opioids and drugs continue to evolve and spread globally, posing an escalating international threat.
For years, the Brookings Institution has conducted extensive research into the public health and security dimensions of this crisis to develop effective policy solutions. The previous phase of the initiative produced 12 in-depth papers and a podcast series, “The Killing Drugs,” offering actionable recommendations for U.S. domestic and international policy, as well as insights for other governments. Building on this foundation, the project’s second phase provides timely analysis of the shifting policy and crime market landscape while continuing to offer policy recommendations.
Vanda Felbab-Brown
July 23, 2025
Regina LaBelle, David R. Holtgrave
July 21, 2025
Vanda Felbab-Brown
March 5, 2025
2024
The Brookings Institution, Washington D.C.
Wednesday, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm EST
Vanda Felbab-Brown
March 5, 2025
Vanda Felbab-Brown
December 4, 2024
Philomena Kebec
December 4, 2024
Jonathan P. Caulkins
December 4, 2024
Greg Midgette, Peter Reuter
December 4, 2024
Regina LaBelle, David R. Holtgrave
July 21, 2025
Nicole Gastala, Harold Pollack, Basmattee Boodram, Mai Tuyet Pho, Mary Beth Shapley
December 6, 2024
Regina LaBelle, David R. Holtgrave
December 4, 2024
Keith Humphreys
December 4, 2024
Roland Neil, Beau Kilmer
December 4, 2024
Sara García, Daniel Mejía
December 4, 2024
Alex Stevens
December 4, 2024
On “The Killing Drugs” podcast, project director and host Vanda Felbab-Brown interviews leading experts on the devastating synthetic opioid crisis to find policies that can save lives.
Lisa Durette, Alexis Kennedy, Vanda Felbab-Brown
October 30, 2024
Sara Hunt, Anne Weisman, Vanda Felbab-Brown
October 29, 2024
Sara García, Daniel Mejía, Vanda Felbab-Brown
October 22, 2024
Alex Stevens, Vanda Felbab-Brown
October 15, 2024
Director
Conveners