(1) Two-thirds U.S. population…
The population of the United States is 340 million. So, 258 million divided by 340 million equals 0.758 or 75 percent. Bondi is saying President Trump has saved two out of every three people in the United States during his first 100 days in office. According to Bondi’s statement, Trump just saved you or one of your friends from an opioid overdose death.
(2) One million opioid deaths in twenty years…
From 1999 to 2022 in the USA, approximately 1 million people (total) died from overdoses involving any opioid… see U.S. Overdose Deaths Involving Any Opioid by Sex, 1999-2022. Based on those numbers, Trump’s fentanyl/opioid interventions may have saved hundreds to a few thousand of people. They have not saved millions of people.
(3) Five thousand years later…
In order to save 258 million people from opioid overdose deaths (at equivalent overdose death rates) Trump would have to implement the above interventions for 20 x 258 = 5,160 years .
(4) Reversing an opioid overdose…
Carrying and administering Naloxone helps prevent opioid deaths. If you are interested in preventing opioid overdose deaths, please consider learning how to carry and administer naloxone. Or, have an empathetic conversation with a loved one suffering from opioid addiction.
(5) Listening to experts…
Surgeon General Jerome Adams championed efforts to reduce opioid overdose deaths. He was the person who helped me understand that I can carry and administer naloxone. His insights on addiction are worth a listen. You can also reach out to SAMHSA’s helpline for additional resources and treatment options.
(6) Cleaning out your medicine cabinet…
The Trump administration is working to reduce access to illegal forms of opioids like synthetic fentanyl. But opioids continue to be accessible via prescription. You can help reduce opioid overdoses by disposing of unused medications and prescriptions.
(7) Conclusion…
Besides reduced access to opioids, some of the best defenses against addiction may be family/friends, education, and opportunity. When we leave others behind, we all suffer. So, let’s get the details right so we can be better, together.
Further Reading:
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/may/01/pam-bondi/Bondi-Trump-fentanyl-seizures-overdose/
https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids
https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/
https://www.state.gov/addressing-the-overdose-crisis/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(22)00043-3/fulltext
Deliberating Truth 