The fentanyl crisis in the United States has escalated to catastrophic levels, claiming an estimated 70,000 lives each year. In a recent interview, Collin Gage, co-founder and CEO of ARMR Sciences, highlighted how this crisis reaches far beyond public health and intersects with national security, geopolitics, and the stability of American communities. According to Gage, the urgency of the situation demands a coordinated response that includes both government leadership and private sector innovation.
The conversation began with President Donald Trump’s latest foreign policy focus, which includes a renewed strategic push into South America in an effort to disrupt fentanyl trafficking. The U.S. government has taken unprecedented action by conducting targeted strikes on boats moving fentanyl from Mexico and Colombia. This escalation reflects a core belief that the fentanyl epidemic is not simply a public health emergency but a deliberate threat against American lives. Gage pointed out that the data is devastating. Twenty-two high school students die each week due to fentanyl overdoses, and hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost their lives to the drug in recent years. Framing the crisis as a national security issue underscores the need for a powerful and sustained response.
A major revelation in the discussion was the recent disclosure of a secret memo from the U.S. Justice Department, which classifies fentanyl as a potential chemical weapon. This designation provides a legal foundation for military action against those who manufacture or distribute fentanyl. Gage described this as a significant turning point. He argued that the crisis is “not accidental” but instead represents a calculated attack on the American population that must be countered decisively.
The threat itself is evolving. Gage warned that new iterations of synthetic opioids, referred to as fentanyl 2.0, 3.0, and beyond, are already emerging from bad actors south of the border. These next-generation narcotics are even more dangerous and difficult to detect, posing heightened risks for civilians and law enforcement. ARMR Sciences is developing preventative immunogens to counteract these synthetic chemical threats. Their research aims to produce long-lasting protection for civilians, military personnel, and first responders who are increasingly exposed to these hazardous substances.
Ethical and legal considerations around targeted military strikes were also addressed. Although some critics point to due process concerns, Gage argued that the actions are justified because individuals involved in the trafficking of fentanyl knowingly participate in a lethal enterprise. He characterized the strikes as necessary defensive measures against a coordinated assault on American citizens. This viewpoint supports the broader need for a comprehensive strategy that combines enforcement, security operations, and advanced biomedical defenses.
In closing, the fentanyl epidemic has become one of the gravest public health and national security challenges facing the United States. With hundreds of thousands of fatalities and new synthetic variants entering the market, the need for innovative solutions has never been greater. As Gage explained, ARMR Sciences is advancing the development of protective immunogens designed to trigger an immune response against fentanyl and similar chemical threats. These breakthroughs aim to safeguard first responders, military personnel, and the wider population. The evolving crisis demands bold action, and the integration of scientific innovation with strategic defense efforts may provide a critical path forward.