Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Chicago communities confront a rise in powerful synthetic drugs
Chicago's South Side communities are battling a wave of synthetic drugs spreading across the United States.
The drugs include tranq, an animal tranquilliser, which is among the cheaper, more powerful substances worrying authorities.
US overdose deaths fell from a peak of about 110,000 in 2022 to roughly 70,000 last year.
But officials fear the decades-long drug crisis may be accelerating as these substances spread.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump pledged a crackdown on drug cartels and designated many as terrorist organisations.
The figures and concerns show why the threat remains serious despite falling deaths; no further steps are specified.
A new wave of synthetic drugs is raising concern about a worsening drug crisis in the United States.
Authorities are increasingly concerned about cheaper, more powerful drugs, including the animal tranquilliser tranq.
Communities in South Side, Chicago, are battling the crisis.
US overdose deaths fell from around 110,000 in 2022 to roughly 70,000 last year.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump pledged a crackdown on drug cartels and designated many as terrorist organisations.
- Who
- Communities in South Side, Chicago, and US authorities are confronting the crisis.
- What
- A new wave of synthetic drugs is raising concern about a worsening drug crisis.
- When
- The report was published on 18 October 2026. Trump pledged a crackdown earlier that year.
- Where
- South Side, Chicago, and the United States.
- Why
- Authorities are concerned about cheaper, more powerful synthetic drugs, including tranq.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
US drug overdose deaths peaked at around 110,000.
US drug overdose deaths fell to roughly 70,000, according to the article's reference to last year.
President Donald Trump pledged a crackdown on drug cartels and designated many as terrorist organisations.
The BBC published its report from South Side, Chicago.
- Overdose deaths peak
- Around 110,000 in 2022
- Overdose deaths last year
- Roughly 70,000
- Drug of concern
- Tranq, an animal tranquilliser
- Report location
- South Side, Chicago
- Report date
- 18 October 2026