This week the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released its Annual Report on Pediatric Poisoning Fatalities and Injuries.  The report notes a 79 percent increase in children under five years old dying accidentally from narcotics from 2021 to 2022.  The number of deaths more than tripled since 2019.  While every death is tragic, accidental pediatric narcotics poisonings are preventable.  The report declines to specify the cause for this alarming spike, but it is likely attributable to one thing: fentanyl. 

Deadly fentanyl is imported to the United States from China or from other countries like Mexico where it is manufactured with Chinese precursor chemicals.  The fentanyl crisis in the United States demands a “whole-of-government” approach. While CPSC does not have primary jurisdiction over narcotics, the Commission does aggregate health data, release reports like this one, and educate consumers.  In addition, CPSC deploys port inspectors across the country who work with their counterparts at sister agencies to identify and interdict suspicious shipments entering the country. 

This report is further evidence of the major public-health threat drugs like fentanyl pose to our communities.  CPSC is ready to do all we can within our jurisdiction to help keep Americans safe.

For additional information, including information about addiction and treatment resources, please visit the following:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: www.samhsa.gov

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration: www.dea.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: www.cbp.gov