report from youarewithinthenorms

NORMAN J CLEMENT RPH., DDS, NORMAN L. CLEMENT PHARM-TECH, MALACHI F. MACKANDAL PHARMD, BELINDA BROWN-PARKER, IN THE SPIRIT OF JOSEPH SOLVO ESQ., INC.T. SPIRIT OF REV. IN THE SPIRIT OF WALTER R. CLEMENT BS., MS, MBA. HARVEY JENKINS MD, PH.D., IN THE SPIRIT OF C.T. VIVIAN, JELANI ZIMBABWE CLEMENT, BS., MBA., IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HON. PATRICE LUMUMBA, IN THE SPIRIT OF ERLIN CLEMENT SR., EVELYN J. CLEMENT, WALTER F. WRENN III., MD., JULIE KILLINGSWORTH, RENEE BLARE, RPH, DR. TERENCE SASAKI, MD LESLY POMPY MD., CHRISTOPHER RUSSO, MD., NANCY SEEFELDT, WILLIE GUINYARD BS., JOSEPH WEBSTER MD., MBA, BEVERLY C. PRINCE MD., FACS., NEIL ARNAND, MD., RICHARD KAUL, MD., IN THE SPIRIT OF LEROY BAYLOR, JAY K. JOSHI MD., MBA,AISHA GARDNER, ADRIENNE EDMUNDSON, ESTER HYATT PH.D., WALTER L. SMITH BS., IN THE SPIRIT OF BRAHM FISHER ESQ., MICHELE ALEXANDER MD., CUDJOE WILDING BS, MARTIN NJOKU, BS., RPH., IN THE SPIRIT OF DEBRA LYNN SHEPHERD, BERES E. MUSCHETT, STRATEGIC ADVISORS


AT WAR WITH CHINA FOR THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE REST OF THE WORLD

The provided article examines the multifaceted opioid crisis, exploring its complex international dimensions.  One text details the Trump administration’s trade war tactics against China, Canada, and Mexico, framed within accusations of insufficient fentanyl control. 

Another criticizes the U.S. government’s role in Afghanistan’s opium production, alleging complicity with warlords and a contradictory approach to domestic and international drug policy. 

A third source focuses on a lawsuit against CVS, accusing the company of illegal opioid dispensing.  Finally, the texts discuss the challenges of combating the crisis, highlighting the limitations of current strategies and emphasizing the need for improved international cooperation and data-driven approaches.

The U.S., China, and the ACETYL -Fentanyl Crisis

President Trump’s trade war with China, Canada, and Mexico is intertwined with his accusations of these countries’ failures to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Trump imposed tariffs, claiming China subsidizes fentanyl precursor chemicals while acknowledging that the problem is complex and that China has taken some steps to address it.

President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. He justified these tariffs by accusing these nations of failing to control the flow of narcotics and migrants across their borders. China primarily exports “precursors” and “pre-precursors” that are used to manufacture fentanyl, rather than the drug itself. This is significant because these chemicals have legitimate uses, making it more difficult to regulate their trade.

China was outraged by the Trump administration’s sanctions on its Ministry of Public Security’s forensic-science institute, which led to a scaling back of cooperation on fighting drug crime. Later, cooperation was severed due to a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi.

President Trump accused the Biden administration of failing to ensure that China would enforce the death penalty for individuals who exported fentanyl to the U.S. He believes this failure should be rectified through tariffs.

The article suggests China may lack the full political will to shut down the fentanyl precursor trade because the Chinese government views fentanyl as a “valuable rhetorical and propaganda tool” with which to criticize Western nations.

China aggressively targets drug traffickers within its borders, but it is not as committed to targeting the drug trade that impacts other nations, such as the U.S., due to geopolitical considerations.

This article notes that chemical trading platforms still offer precursors, using Chinese messaging and phone numbers, and mentions that reporters were able to purchase fentanyl precursors online.

Felbab-Brown suggests that if the U.S. removed China from its list of major drug-producing and transit countries, China would be incentivized to take further steps to stop the opioid-related trade due to its concern about its international reputation.

China has a vast and adaptable chemical industry, and if one chemical is regulated, manufacturers can quickly create other suitable substances. Additionally, local governments might protect these businesses due to economic concerns.

Dr. Jeffrey Singer, a Cato Institute scholar, refutes President Trump’s claim of 300,000 fentanyl overdose deaths, citing the CDC’s lower figure of nearly 60,000.  He argues that the inflated number promotes ineffective, fear-based policies.  Singer contends that decades of drug war strategies have only relocated fentanyl production, leading to more potent and dangerous substances. 

THE DEA IS THE FAULT OF ILLEGAL HEROIN PRODUCTION AND OPIOID CRISIS ACTS OF JUDICIAL CORRUPTION

For more than a decade, the US and international public has been hearing that prescription opioid pain relievers are always and forever a “BAD THING” — and that doctors and Big Pharma companies are supposedly responsible for an epidemic of addiction and drug overdose-related deaths.

However the Authors of this Article Brazen Bladen United States Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.) Judicial Corruption.  Interdiction aimed to disrupt the drug trade by seizing drugs, destroying labs, arresting traffickers, and disrupting financial networks.

This strategy relied heavily on building the capacity of Afghan counternarcotics law enforcement units like the National Interdiction Unit (NIU) and specialized units within the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA).

However, the US-backed Afghan government at all levels and in every geographic region was deeply involved in the drug trade. Major warlords in the government, such as Fahim Khan and Ahmed Wali Karzai, were well-known narcotics traffickers.

The CIA-DEA, had close relationships with them. Drug trafficking was common knowledge, pervasive throughout the Afghan government, and was directly supported by the DEA and other US governmental bodies.

The U.S. also deployed DEA FAST teams, composed of agents trained to conduct military-style raids alongside Afghan and U.S. forces. Early eradication efforts focused on manual eradication and a controversial program of compensated eradication, which was criticized for fueling corruption.

Later, the U.S. favored forced eradication through the creation of the Afghan Eradication Force (AEF), later renamed the Poppy Eradication Force (PEF). Despite significant investment, eradication efforts had a limited impact on reducing poppy cultivation and often generated resentment among farmers. The U.S. also considered aerial spraying, but this was met with strong opposition from the Afghan government and international partners.

WHAT HAPPENED TO OPIUM PRODUCTION AFTER THE US INVASION IN 2001?

Immediately after the US invasion, the DEA/CIA teamed up with many of the same narco-warlords who had been involved in the drug trade prior to 2001 as part of the Northern Alliance.

The US-backed government then legalized poppy cultivation. Within a year, heroin production returned to pre-Taliban levels and Afghanistan became the world’s largest producer, supplying 1,000 metric tons of pure heroin each year for two decades – double the global demand.

Following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, poppy cultivation in Helmand Province has reportedly dropped by 99%. This dramatic decrease is actually a repeat of a similar eradication effort by the Taliban in 2001 prior to the US invasion. 

This suggests that the US-backed government was at least tacitly supporting opium production. The current situation allows for a clearer view of who was truly responsible for the drug production during the 20 years of US presence, revealing that it was not the Taliban.

Blame it on CVS PHARMACY HEALTH OR DR. MUHAMMED ALY RIFAI, MD ET. AL.

The government claims CVS knowingly prioritized profits over patient safety, creating unsafe working conditions that led to pharmacists filling prescriptions without proper due diligence.  This is a consolidated complaint filed by the United States against CVS Pharmacyand its subsidiaries.  

The complaint alleges that CVS routinely filled invalid prescriptions for controlled substances, violating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the False Claims Act (FCA).  Numerous examples of specific prescriptions and prescribers involved in the alleged illegal activity are provided as evidence. 

The provided text centers on a nationwide lawsuit against CVS Pharmacy, alleging the company knowingly dispensed controlled substances illegally, violating the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act.

The suit seeks substantial civil penalties, injunctive relief to prevent future violations, and restitution for funds improperly obtained from federal healthcare programs. 

A CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST

Acquitted, the government prosecutor added a litany of erroneous, misleading but scandalous and headline-grabbing analytics suggesting that on some days in 2015 services were billed for more than 24 hours of work and that my practice sent bills on deceased Medicare beneficiaries after the date of death.

The government investigators and prosecutor believed that this minority Muslim physician of Syrian origin who is solo practicing, will quickly relent and submit to a plea agreement.

U.S. Counternarcotics in Afghanistan: A Critical Analysis

Our counterarguments criticize the government’s approach to the opioid crisis, citing flawed data, algorithmic bias in enforcement, and unduly restrictive policies harming patients and physicians.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) analyzes the U.S. counternarcotics effort in Afghanistan from 2002-2017 outlines US support for drug traffickers in Afghanistan goes back to the 1980s during the Soviet occupation.

The US covertly funded and armed Mujahideen to fight the Soviets, many of whom were also heavily involved in the drug trade. These warlords, such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Nasim Akhun, received significant DEA support and later transformed Afghanistan into a major poppy-growing region. This created a narco-state supported by the DEA. 

@fbrizuela4

♬ original sound – Dr. Felix Brizuela D.O

The report details four main approaches: interdiction, eradication, alternative development, and political support building.  SIGAR found these efforts largely unsuccessful, citing a lack of coordination, insufficient alternative livelihoods, and flawed data as major contributing factors.

The report concludes with thirteen evidence-based recommendations for improving future counternarcotics strategies, emphasizing the need for better data, local context consideration, and interagency collaboration. 

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ROLE IN THE AFGHAN OPIUM TRADE

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Analysis of Seth Harp Interview on U.S. Involvement in Afghan Opium Production. 

The US government’s actions in Afghanistan highlight a discrepancy between its domestic anti-drug policies and its international actions. While enforcing strict penalties on drug users and traffickers within the US, the government appeared to support a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Afghanistan. 

The heroin produced there and subsequently flooded the US market creating a domestic crisis which the DEA denies any connection to. This highlights that the US government is potentially choosing “winners and losers” in the drug trade. Alternative livelihood programs aimed to incentivize farmers to shift away from poppy cultivation by providing them with viable economic alternatives.

These programs included providing agricultural inputs like wheat seeds and fertilizer, promoting high-value crops, and supporting rural development initiatives. The success of these programs was mixed, as they often lacked coordination, faced security challenges, and struggled to compete with the profitability of opium poppy.

This Article more than demonstrates CVS, Doctors, and Prescription Drugs where never the cause of the DOJ-DEA Opioid Crisis summarizes the key arguments and facts presented by Seth Harp, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone and author of the forthcoming book “The Fort Bragg Cartel,” regarding the US role in the Afghan opium trade, particularly during the 2001-2021 US occupation of Afghanistan. 

Seth Harp’s interview presents a counter-narrative to the established understanding of the Afghan drug trade during the US presence, highlighting a potentially systematic US role in fostering the production and distribution of heroin for two decades. 

It challenges the commonly held belief that the Taliban, Medical Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Drug Manufactures, CV S Pharmacy Health, Pronto Pharmacy et al., or Dr. Terence Sasaki, MD, Paul Volkman, MD., Dr. Gazelle Craig, DO., Dr Barbara Marino.MD., were responsible for the opioid/opium trade and suggests that the US-backed Afghan government, supported at every level by the US, was in fact the world’s largest drug cartel. 

This analysis raises serious questions about US foreign policy, its motives, and the human costs of its actions. Harp’s forthcoming book is expected to delve into this further and provide a more complete picture of these issues.

Harp’s analysis challenges conventional narratives and suggests a deep and sustained involvement by the US government and its allies in fostering and profiting from the opium trade, with significant consequences for both Afghanistan and the global drug market.

The interviewee emphasizes the scale of US-backed opium production and its contribution to the heroin crisis in the US and other countries. He concludes by questioning the US government’s contradictory stance on anti-drug policies and its apparent support for certain actors in the global drug trade.

Conclusion:

The fentanyl crisis is a major international problem that requires a multi-faceted approach. The current US strategy of tariffs and accusations is likely counterproductive, further straining relationships and hindering cooperation. While China is a key player in the precursor supply chain, cooperation, rather than confrontation, might be the most effective path toward curbing the crisis.

The problem is complex, with a resilient chemical industry and transnational crime networks. However, the articles also offer potential solutions through bilateral cooperation and a focus on reputation.

This article from youarewithinthenorms highlights much of our work and the complexity of the problems and the need for a more nuanced approach, moving beyond a simplistic trade war.

It also notes that the death rate continues to climb, even as the rate of increase may be slowing. This suggests that the problem is not being solved and the methods being used need to be reviewed and re-evaluated.

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REFERENCES:

Timeline of Main Events:

• 1980s: The US covertly funds and arms the Mujahideen in Afghanistan to fight the Soviet occupation. Many of these Mujahideen are also involved in the drug trade, and the CIA-DEA develops relationships with them.
• Pre-2001: Afghanistan is a significant producer of opium, though production was suppressed by the Taliban.
• 2001:US invasion of Afghanistan.
• Taliban briefly eliminates opium production.
• DEA/CIA teams up with some of the same narco-warlords from the Northern Alliance who had been involved in the drug trade prior to 2001.
• US-backed Afghan government legalizes poppy cultivation.
• Post-2001 (within a year): Heroin production returns to pre-Taliban levels in Afghanistan, becoming the world’s largest producer, supplying approximately 1,000 metric tons of pure heroin annually.
• 2002-2017: US counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan, including interdiction, eradication, alternative development, and political support building are largely unsuccessful. The US supports the Afghan government which is also deeply involved in the drug trade.
• Multiple years:The US, DEA, and international public are increasingly focused on prescription opioids and medical professionals as the source of the opioid crisis in the US
• The US deployed DEA FAST teams, composed of agents trained to conduct military-style raids alongside Afghan and U.S. forces. Early eradication efforts focused on manual eradication and a controversial program of compensated eradication. Later, the U.S. favored forced eradication through the creation of the Afghan Eradication Force (AEF), later renamed the Poppy Eradication Force (PEF).

• US government investigates CVS Pharmacy for allegedly filling invalid prescriptions of controlled substances.
• China begins to emerge as a major exporter of fentanyl precursor chemicals.
• 2017: The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) issues a report critiquing U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan (2002-2017), finding them largely ineffective.
• President Trump Administration: President Trump imposes tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico in response to their alleged failures to curb fentanyl flows. Accusations are made regarding China’s subsidies of fentanyl precursor chemical exports. Sanctions are placed on China’s Ministry of Public Security’s forensic-science institute. Anti-drug cooperation with China is reduced and ultimately severed due to political tensions.
• August 17, 2021: The Taliban retakes Kabul, Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid makes his first public appearance.
• Post-US Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021): Poppy cultivation in Helmand Province, Afghanistan drops dramatically by 99%.
• President Biden Administration: Is accused by President Trump for not enforcing the death penalty for those in China that export fentanyl to the US, and should be rectified through tariffs.
• Ongoing:Fentanyl crisis continues to be a major problem in the US and globally.
• US continues to focus on China and the precursor trade.
• Debate continues regarding the true causes of the opioid crisis, with some suggesting it was never due to medical professionals or prescription opioids, but rather to US government policies and practices.
• China’s role is debated, with accusations of insufficient action contrasted by claims of significant efforts to curb production and distribution.

Cast of Characters:

• President Donald Trump: Former US President who implemented tariffs against China, Canada, and Mexico, linking them to the fentanyl crisis. Accuses China of subsidizing fentanyl production and claims the Biden administration is failing to address the crisis.
• Zabihullah Mujahid: Taliban spokesman, who worked in the shadows for nearly two decades, first makes a public appearance to address concerns about the Taliban’s reputation with women’s rights and other issues.
• Dr. Jeffrey Singer: Cato Institute scholar who disputes President Trump’s claims about fentanyl overdose deaths, citing the CDC’s lower figure of approximately 60,000 rather than Trump’s 300,000. He argues that inflated numbers lead to ineffective policies and that drug war strategies only shift production of substances.
• Fahim Khan: Afghan warlord and narcotics trafficker who was part of the Afghan government during the US occupation.
• Ahmed Wali Karzai: Afghan warlord and narcotics trafficker who was part of the Afghan government during the US occupation.
• Gulbuddin Hekmatyar: Afghan warlord who received significant DEA support during the 1980s and became a major player in poppy cultivation.
• Nasim Akhun: Afghan warlord who received significant DEA support during the 1980s and became a major player in poppy cultivation.
• Seth Harp: Contributing editor at Rolling Stone and author of “The Fort Bragg Cartel,” who challenges the narrative about the Afghan opium trade, and suggests a deep and sustained US government involvement in fostering the production of heroin.
• Vanda Felbab-Brown: Expert who suggests the US could offer to remove China from its list of major drug-producing countries to encourage cooperation on fentanyl.
• Dr. Terence Sasaki, MD., Paul Volkman, MD., Dr. Gazelle Craig, DO., Dr Barbara Marino.MD.: Some of many medical professional that were investigated, charged, and prosecuted in the US during the opioid crisis for filling prescriptions, often with the assertion that they were intentionally over-prescribing for profit.
• CVS Pharmacy: Major pharmacy chain being sued by the US government for alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act, regarding illegal dispensing of controlled substances.

STORY OF DR. CHRISTOPHER RUSSO CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

This timeline and character list summarizes the key events and people discussed in the provided texts. It highlights the complex and interconnected nature of the opioid crisis, involving international relations, drug policy, geopolitics, and corruption, with a wide array of stakeholders.

Study Guide: The Fentanyl Crisis and International Relations

Quiz

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. According to the article, what specific actions did President Trump take regarding trade in response to the fentanyl crisis?
2. What are the main chemicals that China is exporting that are related to the fentanyl crisis, and why is this significant?
3. Why was China outraged by the actions of the Trump administration? How did this impact anti-drug cooperation between the two nations?
4. How did President Trump claim that the Biden administration failed to address the fentanyl crisis?
5. What does the article suggest is the primary reason for China’s lack of complete cooperation in stopping the export of fentanyl precursors?
6. How does China’s internal approach to drug control differ from its approach to the drug trade directed toward other nations?
7. According to the article, what evidence shows that fentanyl precursors are still readily available despite China’s attempts to control them?
8. What does Vanda Felbab-Brown suggest that the US could offer China to encourage further cooperation in combating the fentanyl trade?
9. Why does the article suggest that even if China fully cooperated, it would be difficult to eradicate the fentanyl supply chain?
10. According to the article, what is considered “success” in combating the opioid crisis in America?

Quiz Answer Key

1. President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. He justified these tariffs by accusing these nations of failing to control the flow of narcotics and migrants across their borders.
2. China primarily exports “precursors” and “pre-precursors” that are used to manufacture fentanyl, rather than the drug itself. This is significant because these chemicals have legitimate uses, making it more difficult to regulate their trade.
3. China was outraged by the Trump administration’s sanctions on its Ministry of Public Security’s forensic-science institute, which led to a scaling back of cooperation on fighting drug crime. Later, cooperation was severed due to a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi.
4. President Trump accused the Biden administration of failing to ensure that China would enforce the death penalty for individuals who exported fentanyl to the U.S. He believes this failure should be rectified through tariffs.
5. The article suggests China may lack the full political will to shut down the fentanyl precursor trade because the Chinese government views fentanyl as a “valuable rhetorical and propaganda tool” with which to criticize Western nations.
6. China aggressively targets drug traffickers within its borders, but it is not as committed to targeting the drug trade that impacts other nations, such as the U.S., due to geopolitical considerations.
7. The article notes that chemical trading platforms still offer precursors, using Chinese messaging and phone numbers, and mentions that reporters were able to purchase fentanyl precursors online.
8. Felbab-Brown suggests that if the U.S. removed China from its list of major drug-producing and transit countries, China would be incentivized to take further steps to stop the opioid-related trade due to its concern about its international reputation.
9. China has a vast and adaptable chemical industry, and if one chemical is regulated, manufacturers can quickly create other suitable substances. Additionally, local governments might protect these businesses due to economic concerns.
10. Success in combating the opioid crisis is not measured by a decline in deaths but by a slowing in the rate of increase in fatalities.

Essay Questions

Instructions: Please answer the following essay questions in a well-organized, multi-paragraph format.

1. Analyze the interconnectedness of trade policy, international relations, and the fentanyl crisis, as described in the articles. What are the key challenges and opportunities in addressing the crisis through a combination of these factors?
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the various methods proposed for curbing the fentanyl trade, such as tariffs, bilateral agreements, and stricter internal regulations. What are the limitations of each approach, and how might they be improved?
3. Discuss how the fentanyl crisis has become a point of contention in the relationship between China and the United States. What are the root causes of their disagreements, and how might these tensions be resolved?
4. How do the dynamics of global chemical manufacturing and the internet contribute to the persistence of the fentanyl supply chain? What strategies might be effective in combating these forces?
5. Considering the perspectives of various stakeholders (e.g., politicians, law enforcement, chemical industries, and victims), what are the most significant obstacles to effectively controlling the flow of fentanyl precursors, and what recommendations would you offer to address these issues?

Glossary of Key Terms

Bilateral Forum: A meeting or organization involving two parties, often countries, aimed at discussing and resolving issues of mutual interest.

De-Minimis Exemptions: Exceptions that allow small packages to be sent across borders without being subject to customs duties.

Fentanyl: A powerful synthetic opioid that is a significant contributor to drug overdoses.

Geopolitics: The study of how geography and international relations influence politics.

International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977: U.S. federal law that authorizes the President to regulate commerce after declaring a national emergency.

Opioid: A class of drugs that act on the nervous system to relieve pain, including natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic substances.

Precursors: Substances that are used as building blocks to manufacture other substances, such as drugs.

Pre-Precursors: Substances that are used to produce precursors.

Sanctions: Penalties imposed on a country or entity for violation of international law, often involving trade restrictions.

Tariffs: Taxes imposed on goods entering a country from other countries.

Transnational Criminal Organizations: Criminal groups that operate across multiple countries.