Director Sara Carter
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
Address at the 69th Session of the United Nations’ Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria
March 9, 2026
Good morning, esteemed colleagues and delegates.
First, allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Mr. Chair, on your appointment. I assure you of the United States’ unwavering commitment to collaborate with you throughout this session. Thank you for your leadership.
Today, I stand before you not only as a representative of the United States but as a voice for countless families who have suffered unimaginable loss due to the insidious grip of illicit drugs.
We gather here in recognition of the families shattered by the epidemic of drug-related violence…
Of communities left in ruins…
And of the millions of Americans who are absent today, their lives tragically cut short by substances that prey upon the vulnerable.
Under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, we are making strides to save lives and cultivate a more robust global response to the menace of drug trafficking.
Take, for instance, Operation Southern Spear in the Caribbean, which led to the apprehension of the dictator Maduro—an action that has shone a spotlight on the issues plaguing the Western Hemisphere.
We are not alone in this fight. Our neighbors and allies are uniting in our mission to eradicate these toxins from our streets, our communities, and our homes.
Together, we are on a mission to safeguard our children from those who prioritize profit over their very lives.
Recently, I attended an event in Florida that underscored this renewed spirit of cooperation. In Miami, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth convened military and security leaders from across the hemisphere to discuss strategies for dismantling the cartel networks.
This collaborative effort follows Mexico’s successful elimination of “el Mencho,” a notorious cartel leader, yet we must acknowledge the significant losses our allies have endured.
I extend my condolences to the Government of Mexico and to the families mourning their loved ones. Thank you.
My heart aches for all those affected by cartel violence throughout the region—lives taken too soon in a brutal war.
However, we must intensify our resolve…
We must confront these criminal networks where they feel most secure—at their stash houses, within their financial havens, and along their distribution routes.
Last year alone, we confiscated over 47 million counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and nearly 100,000 pounds of fentanyl powder entering the U.S., equating to approximately 369 million potentially lethal doses.
Yet, we mourn the loss of nearly 80,000 American lives to overdoses and poisonings, driven by substances like cocaine and methamphetamine adulterated with fentanyl.
In response to this crisis, we have designated fentanyl and its precursors as weapons of mass destruction.
Criminal organizations view fentanyl as a lucrative avenue, indifferent to the potential deaths of their customers, as its presence exacerbates addiction.
These nefarious entities are engaged in a chemical warfare…
A war they wage with minimal effort to circumvent the still-developing regulations surrounding fentanyl and its deadly precursors.
We know the origins of these chemical precursors—they are produced by the millions of tons in China.
We understand that they traverse the global supply chain.
China’s lax export controls enable its chemical industry to form alliances with cartels, while its stringent regulations on rare earth minerals complicate legitimate business operations.
We are tirelessly working to sever the supply chain of these precursors at their source, not only to shield American lives but to protect citizens globally.
This forum represents a pivotal opportunity for nations to unite against not just narcotics but the criminal enterprises that underpin them, including their financial networks, political allies, and their blatant disregard for the rule of law.
These criminal organizations operate outside the boundaries of legality, unencumbered by accountability.
Yet, our strength lies in our ability to collaborate, uphold the law, harness the talents and integrity of our citizens, and collectively target those who perpetuate this deadly cycle.
If our shared vision is a peaceful world filled with thriving, healthy communities, we cannot allow the cancers that threaten our existence to continue to thrive.
Thank you.
