U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGING
THE SILENTEPIDEMIC
FENTANYL AND OLDER AMERICANS
Ranking Member Mike BraunDecember 2023
Findings
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids have devastated communities allover the United States, fueling the worst drug crisis in American history. While fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans under 50,older Americans are increasingly confronting surging overdose rates aswell. Among Americans 65 and older, overdose deaths quadrupled across thelast two decades, and there’s increasing evidence that synthetic drugslike fentanyl are adding to these fatalities. Despite this dramatic increase in overdoses due to synthetics,prevention messaging for older adults still reflects traditional concernsabout prescription opioid misuse but does not focus on synthetics likefentanyl increasingly infecting drugs taken by older Americans. Older Americans susceptible to overdoses on synthetics are often long-term, stable users whose drugs become infected by synthetics or peoplewho turn to black-market prescription drugs due to cost or tosupplement their demand for medication after being cut off from legalchannels.Synthetics are surging in counterfeit pills, which seniors are particularlyvulnerable to unknowingly purchase. The Drug EnforcementAdministration reported in October 2023 that seven out of every ten pillsit seizes now contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. America’s drug crisis is so severe compared to other countries becauseof its position in drug supply chains. Mexican cartels import synthetic chemicals from China and makesynthetic drugs like fentanyl at very low cost, which are then smuggledthrough the southern border.
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Findings
In 2020, U.S. Border Patrol seized 4,600 pounds of fentanyl along thesouthern border. In 2023, the amount of fentanyl seized skyrocketed to26,700 pounds, a 480 percent increase. While Congress has taken steps to increase treatment, and treatmentand recovery services are vital for many older adults, the drug crisis can’tbe solved without supply reduction.Overdoses are increasing the number of grandfamilies, in whichgrandparents raise grandchildren, spiking healthcare costs, anddecreasing life expectancy.There is a pressing need to rethink how and why older adults areimpacted by substance use, reduce stigma, and raise awareness aboutgrowing substance use among older populations.
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