This year’s NAAG Presidential Initiative Summit held August 5-6, 2025 in Portsmouth, NH, was hosted by New Hampshire AG and NAAG President John Formella, brought together state AGs, law enforcement officials, federal partners, academics, and private sector stakeholders to focus on next-generation strategies to combat substance abuse and drug trafficking. Building on the momentum of the opioid litigation, AGs emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration, innovative enforcement tools, and data-driven prevention strategies in the face of a rapidly shifting threat landscape that now includes fentanyl, synthetic drugs, and online drug marketplaces.
Emerging Drug Threats and the Need for Real-Time Response
In a panel moderated by Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday, speakers from law enforcement, medicine, and public policy detailed the increasingly complex mix of synthetic drugs—fentanyl, xylazine, methamphetamine—circulating in communities across the country. Panelists warned against relying on “single-issue” enforcement strategies and emphasized the need for real-time data sharing to anticipate emerging threats and strengthen local treatment infrastructure. Participants also underscored the importance of engaging recovery specialists, supporting treatment courts, and addressing co-occurring mental health issues. Speakers noted that treatment, rather than incarceration, should remain the primary goal, particularly as some regions face workforce shortages and grant-dependent care systems.
State-Level Innovations: Prosecuting Overdose Deaths
A spotlight panel highlighted state-led legislative efforts aimed at prosecuting drug-induced homicide cases. In Texas, “Jake’s Law” requires medical examiners to classify fentanyl deaths as poisonings rather than accidental overdoses, allowing prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against distributors. In North Carolina and New Hampshire, “death by distribution” statutes now impose strict liability for drug-related deaths, streamlining prosecutions and elevating penalties. Speakers stressed the importance of early prosecutorial involvement in overdose investigations and shared strategies for navigating juror skepticism and evidentiary challenges. The panel also discussed the broader deterrent effect of these laws and the need for narrative sensitivity when presenting cases involving substance use.
Digital Drug Trafficking: From Streets to Screens
Connecticut AG William Tong led a panel examining the role of online platforms, payment processors, and telehealth providers in facilitating access to counterfeit and unregulated drugs. Panelists detailed how criminal networks exploit social media, encrypted messaging, and search engines to reach consumers—particularly teens—with bootleg prescriptions and synthetic drugs. The panel highlighted the growing popularity of counterfeit GLP-1 medications sold online without oversight. AG Tong announced a recent settlement with a company marketing counterfeit Ozempic kits and urged continued collaboration between regulators and tech companies. Panelists called for stronger industry-wide standards, cross-platform information sharing, and greater transparency around content moderation and ad targeting practices.
Deploying Opioid Settlement Funds for Long-Term Impact
A bipartisan panel of AGs and senior staff from Oklahoma, New Hampshire, and Mississippi shared updates on how states are deploying opioid settlement funds to support recovery, prevention, and enforcement. While some states have emphasized local discretion and abatement efforts, others are developing centralized engagement initiatives and forming public-private task forces. Participants also emphasized the value of public reporting and clear guardrails to maintain accountability and public trust.
Addressing Stigma and Modernizing Drug Education
Additional panels explored the intersection of mental health and addiction, emphasizing the need to address stigma and recognize addiction as a chronic, neurobiological illness. In a forward-looking discussion on drug education, panelists advocated for revamping outdated models like D.A.R.E. and leveraging youth-created social media content to promote authentic, peer-driven prevention messaging. Speakers highlighted the critical role of influencers, coaches, and community partnerships in reaching vulnerable youth before crises emerge.
Key Takeaways
This year’s Presidential Initiative Summit reinforced the evolving nature of substance abuse threats and the necessity of a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach. From prosecutorial innovations and digital enforcement challenges to data transparency and youth engagement, AGs are leveraging their convening power to respond with agility.