December 12, 2025Dec 12, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

US writhing in drug addiction

Date: 23/05/2023 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Recently, VOA reported that the illicit purchase and use of fentanyl is becoming a serious social problem at home.

Following is the main content of the report:

Fentanyl, a potent narcotic analgesic of compound opioid series, was developed to alleviate pain of patients suffering from severe pains including terminal cancer.

Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine, a typical anodyne, and even a minimum dosage can be fatal. But it is in widespread use across the society as it is cheaper than any other conventional drugs and also easy to purchase on the internet.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 more than 70 000 people died from overdose of compound opioids and 107 000-odd people died of drug misuse. And 70% of them died of addiction to fentanyl.

The CDC estimated that the number of people dying from potent drug addiction such as fentanyl will continue to increase unless an immediate measure is taken against illicit drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported as follows:

Thousands of babies are born each year and some of them are influenced by their mothers who are addicted to potent drugs like fentanyl and opioids and experience withdrawal symptoms including irritability and rapid breathing.

Truveta, a US healthcare-data company, argued that the rate of drug use by women has rapidly increased over the last few years due to the prevalence of illicit drug markets in the country. As a result, about six in 1 000 babies have been born drug-dependent in each year since 2017 and the number is increasing continuously.

The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicated that nearly 8% of pregnant women among 60 000 respondents had used illicit drugs and some of them had taken illicit opioids periodically.

In this regard, a researcher specializing in obstetrics, gynecology and psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia said that until 2009 the rate of babies born drug-dependent was only half compared to the present and expressed concern over the continuous increase in number of women using potent drugs like fentanyl.

Many states of the US demand that mothers who test positive for opioids be reported to child services, but such policy is not very helpful and illicit drug use is becoming rampant in the country, said an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina.

The above data vividly show the reality of the US writhing in drug addiction.

More From Pyongyang Times

New houses built in Pyongyang Municipality

New houses built in Pyongyang Municipality

Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one

December 11, 2025

Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one

China urges Japan to fulfil obligation as a defeated nation

China urges Japan to fulfil obligation as a defeated nation

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of China urged Japan to fulfil its obligation as a defeated nation at a press conference

December 11, 2025

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of China urged Japan to fulfil its obligation as a defeated nation at a press conference

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sends birthday spread to centenarian

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sends birthday spread to centenarian

Amid the growing joy of the macrobians leading a blessed life under the socialist system of the DPRK, Yonha-dong of Sinuiju City,

December 11, 2025

Amid the growing joy of the macrobians leading a blessed life under the socialist system of the DPRK, Yonha-dong of Sinuiju City,

Provincial building materials exhibition opens

Provincial building materials exhibition opens

The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on December 9.

December 11, 2025

The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on December 9.

Jangjin Potato Farina Production Factory inaugurated

Jangjin Potato Farina Production Factory inaugurated

A potato farina production factory was newly built and inaugurated in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong Province. The factory has a

December 11, 2025

A potato farina production factory was newly built and inaugurated in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong Province. The factory has a

Efforts channelled into bringing education up-to-date

Efforts channelled into bringing education up-to-date

Developing countries are paying close attention to education, regarding it as a crucial issue for achieving national prosperity.

December 10, 2025

Developing countries are paying close attention to education, regarding it as a crucial issue for achieving national prosperity.

Hungary opposes EU’s plan to ban import of energy from Russia

Hungary opposes EU’s plan to ban import of energy from Russia

The Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade opposed a plan of the European Union to ban the import of Russian energy throu

December 10, 2025

The Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade opposed a plan of the European Union to ban the import of Russian energy throu

New houses built at farms in Jagang Province

New houses built at farms in Jagang Province

Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into the modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the

December 10, 2025

Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into the modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the

Factory increases production while lowering costs

Factory increases production while lowering costs

The Kangso Sprayer Factory has produced a lot of backpack sprayers to send them to the socialist countryside this year. Among the

December 10, 2025

The Kangso Sprayer Factory has produced a lot of backpack sprayers to send them to the socialist countryside this year. Among the

Disaster management ministry delegation leaves for Russia

Disaster management ministry delegation leaves for Russia

A delegation of the Ministry of Disaster Management headed by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol left Pyongyang on December 8 by air to

December 10, 2025

A delegation of the Ministry of Disaster Management headed by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol left Pyongyang on December 8 by air to

Youth and students hold oath-taking meeting

Youth and students hold oath-taking meeting

Bearing in mind the noble soul and spirit of the revolutionary forerunners, youth and students successfully made a study tour of

December 09, 2025

Bearing in mind the noble soul and spirit of the revolutionary forerunners, youth and students successfully made a study tour of

More Articles