• Comic Fuquan Johnson, 2 others die in possible fentanyl-laced cocaine overdoses.

Tens of thousands die from fentanyl-laced heroin. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid, so we could tell ourselves that drug dealers were increasing their profits by cutting heroin from Mexico or Afghanistan with synthetic fentanyl from labs in China. We could avoid more frightening scenarios.

But cocaine is a stimulant. Cutting it with fentanyl would reduce the stimulant effect. True, some like John Belushi loved a “speedball,” heroin plus cocaine. It didn’t do Belushi much good – it killed him. One must admit that the combination had its admirers. Still, combining two drugs with opposite effects would not be every drug-user’s choice. So it seems obvious that this combination was involuntarily foisted on many drug users. Now the other scenario becomes harder to avoid.

Evidence is accumulating that the Covid-19 virus was engineered in the Wuhan biolab, partly with US funding. The possibility of biological warfare can no longer be dismissed as the ravings of conspiracy theorists wearing aluminum-foil hats.

Evidence is accumulating that the fentanyl causing tens of thousands of overdose deaths is mainly manufactured in China. The possibility of chemical warfare can likewise no longer be dismissed as right-wing delusions.

Sept. 11, 2001, was a terrible day, but at least it had the advantage of focusing our minds on the painfully obvious fact that we were at war. Tens of thousands of overdose deaths from contaminated heroin and cocaine are easier to dismiss with “blame the victim.” Illicit drug users are undeniably doing something dangerous.

But at some point, we have a right – in fact a duty – to ask, “Who benefits from weakening America?” Drug lords don’t benefit from killing off their customers. Who does benefit? The same totalitarian regime that is manufacturing the fentanyl? What does that suggest?