Topic

Fentanyl and other opioidsi

Fentanyl, also spelled fentanil, is an opioid that is intended to be used as a pain reliever and anaesthetic, but which has become popular as a recreational drug, leading to mass addictions in the US and elsewhere. Production of fentanyl has taken place in China and other countries, but has come under scrutiny by several national governments, including Beijing, which on April 1, 2019, announced a ban on production of all variants of fentanyl.

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  • Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong says ‘candid communication’ between security agencies has helped curb narcotics trade
  • New Zealand could become ‘valuable’ fentanyl market for Chinese criminal networks, experts have warned

Despite an agreement in November between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping to address the deadly drug, there is little evidence that China is committed to the effort or that it is seeing much result, experts testify.

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Hu Binchen, director of International Cooperation Bureau, and Liu Zhongyi, director of Criminal Investigation Bureau, appointed assistant ministers at China’s Ministry of Public Security.

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After meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirms two leaders will speak ‘on the phone sooner than later’.

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Washington said new working group’s first meeting in Beijing was a ‘good start’ but says ‘there’s a lot more work to be done’ in fighting illicit opioid trade.

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White House Deputy Homeland Security Adviser Jen Daskal to lead delegation with officials from key departments to tackle an opioid epidemic that kills thousands in the US annually.

As part of a Biden-Xi summit deal, the US lifted curbs on a Chinese agency deemed complicit in human rights violations in an effort to stem the flow of opioids.

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Speaking at event to mark anniversary of US-China relations, Chinese foreign minister says ‘artificial decoupling and containment’ will ‘backfire’, while noting progress in military communications and anti-narcotics cooperation.

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US will appear to have ‘egg on our face’ if China’s demand is met without getting results ‘Americans deserved in return’: Republican representative.

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In meeting with Mexican minister Alicia Barcena in Beijing, China’s foreign minister says two sides should expand exchanges and cooperation in several areas

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Having lost her son to addiction, Cammie Wolf Rice speaks out about the risks of opioids. She’s helped place specialists in hospitals and raises awareness of the dangers of extended use of the pills.

Improved military-to-military dialogue, coordination on fentanyl and meeting of minds on AI singled out as noteworthy takeaways from Apec discussion.

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US meanwhile lifts Xinjiang-related sanctions on lab affiliated with Chinese police. It follows agreement between Beijing and Washington to work together on narcotics control.

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President Joe Biden mentions counter-narcotics, artificial intelligence and climate change as issues to be addressed jointly; Xi Jinping cites ‘grave’ economic problems, including ‘protectionism’.

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Ketamine use is on the rise, prescribed as a drug to treat pain, anxiety and more. With little regulation and big profits for clinics, are the same mistakes being made that led to the US’ opioid crisis?

The latest targets include 25 individuals and entities based in China, including Wang Shucheng and Du Changgen – members of a Chinese ‘syndicate’.

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Operator Grei Mendez tried to cover up the drug operation after realising that some of the children were not waking up from their naps, prosecutors say.

Ovidio Guzman, one of the sons of imprisoned Mexican drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, pleaded not guilty to US fentanyl trafficking charges on Monday in a Chicago court.

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