US opioid crisis-The US opioid crisis: Is it a theatre of Cold War Il?

Source: The post US opioid crisis has been created, based on the article “The US opioid crisis: Is it a theatre of Cold War Il?” published in “Live mints” on 16th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2-International relations – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

News: This article discusses how the US opioid crisis, largely self-inflicted due to misleading pharmaceutical marketing, has international implications. It touches on how China’s role in producing opioid ingredients and US-China relations affect the crisis. US opioid crisis

What is the US opioid crisis?

Origin and Misleading Marketing: The crisis started with oxycodone, falsely advertised as a safe pain relief medication.

Role of Pharmaceutical Companies: Firms like Purdue Pharma played a key role in aggressively marketing opioids.

Shift to More Potent Drugs: The crisis worsened with the rise of fentanyl; a synthetic opioid far more potent than others.

Alarming Overdose Statistics: In 2021, over 100,000 overdose deaths were reported in the US, with fentanyl implicated in over two-thirds of these cases.

Historical Echoes: The situation resembles the Opium Wars of the 19th century in its dynamics and consequences.

How does the US opioid crisis affect its foreign relations?

China’s Role: China produces ingredients for opioids like fentanyl, linking it to the US crisis.

US-China Diplomacy: The opioid crisis has led to US requests for China to help control drug supplies.

Impact on US-Russia Relations: Russian President Putin’s views on US leadership can influence perceptions of the crisis. Putin’s comments on preferring a Biden presidency over Trump’s could impact how the crisis is managed.

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What does this mean for democracy?

Democratic Values at Stake: The crisis tests the core values of democracy, including accountability, transparency, and the protection of public welfare, underscoring the challenges faced by democratic governments in crisis management.

Biden’s Democratic Values: President Biden’s framing of the crisis underscores the importance of democratic values in confronting and managing such national issues, contrasting with how autocracies might handle similar situations.

Impacts on India: As the largest democratic country neighboring China, India is impacted by the dynamics of US-China relations and the management of the US opioid crisis.

Way forward

To address the opioid crisis, it’s essential for the US to manage it effectively, reflecting democratic values and ethical governance as emphasized by President Biden. Strengthening international cooperation, especially with China, to control drug supplies is key. This approach will not only tackle the health crisis but also potentially influence global democratic perceptions and policies.

Question for practice:

Discuss the impact of the US opioid crisis on its foreign relations and how it challenges democratic values.