MISSION
To support the detection, interdiction, disruption, and curtailment of drug trafficking activities through the application of military unique skills and resources.
VISION
A safe secure homeland free from Transnational Organized Crime, drug related activities and other threats to national security.
In 2025, the United States continued to witness encouraging progress in addressing the overdose crisis, with provisional data showing a sustained decline in drug overdose deaths following the historic reductions of 2024. National overdose mortality fell further, dropping to roughly the low 70,000 range in the most recent 12 month reporting period, marking one of the longest continuous declines in decades. Expanded access to naloxone, broader availability of treatment for opioid use disorder, and ongoing harm reduction efforts are widely credited for this improvement. However, overdose deaths remain well above pre-pandemic levels. Fentanyl continues to drive most fatalities, and trends vary by region and population, underscoring the need for continued investment and vigilance.
Since 1989, the National Guard has played a critical role in addressing the nation’s drug threat through the National Guard Counterdrug Program, a cornerstone of the whole-of-government approach. Operating in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia, the program leverages highly trained military professionals to support federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement, as well as community-based organizations. Through intelligence analysis, operational support, and prevention initiatives, this program is pivotal in disrupting drug trafficking networks, reducing the supply of illicit drugs, and strengthening community efforts to prevent substance misuse and its devastating impacts.
FISCAL YEAR 2025 NATIONAL LEVEL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
"Enabling Law Enforcement & Protecting Communities"
2,852 Law Enforcement Agencies Supported
2,694 National Guard Service Members Employed
10,970 Total Missions Executed
69,145 Students Trained Nationwide
$15.4B Estimated Operational Impact
32,087 kg Fentanyl / Fentanyl-Containing Pills
502,613 kg Synthetic Opioids
101,072 kg Methamphetamine
213,344 kg Cocaine
1,335 kg Heroin
664,853 kg Marijuana
$428.1M in U.S. Currency Seized
$157.3M in Property Seized
12,684 Agencies Supported
57,886 Resident Students Trained
11,259 Distance Learning Students Trained
69,145 Total Students Trained
The National Guard serves as a proven force multiplier in the fight against illicit drugs. Each Counterdrug Program analyst supports 10–15 law enforcement officers already operating in the field, significantly expanding investigative capacity. Complementing these efforts, the program also supports prevention initiatives by partnering with communities, schools, and public health organizations to deliver education, outreach, and data-informed strategies aimed at reducing drug demand and preventing substance misuse before it begins. In addition, five regional Counterdrug Program schools train an average of 68,000 active law enforcement officers annually, delivering region-specific threat awareness and field-validated counterdrug techniques.
Despite the rapid escalation of the fentanyl crisis, funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program has remained largely stagnant at approximately $200 million annually since the early 1990s. Rising personnel costs and inflation have further constrained program capacity. With continued targeted increased investment, this enduring and proven program has substantially expanded its impact, enhancing support to law enforcement, reducing the availability of heroin and fentanyl, and helping to mitigate drug misuse and overdose deaths in communities nationwide.
