The US House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, permanently classifying fentanyl as a Schedule I drug to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. The bipartisan bill aims to strengthen penalties against traffickers and empower law enforcement to curb the flow of fentanyl.
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill permanently classifying fentanyl as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal for any medical use and highlighting the severity of the deadly opioid crisis. The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act passed with a 312-108 vote, with bipartisan support from 98 Democrats and 214 Republicans. This legislation aims to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States by strengthening penalties against traffickers.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment, fentanyl continues to be the primary driver of overdose deaths in the country. Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), one of the bill's authors, emphasized in a statement that the HALT Fentanyl Act will empower the DEA to target fentanyl traffickers and protect communities. The bill's passage comes after a series of temporary classifications of fentanyl as a Schedule I drug by previous administrations, which were set to expire on March 31. Proponents of the bill argue that it's a necessary step to address the ongoing public health crisis. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) stated that fentanyl is intended for medical use in controlled environments, not for illicit distribution and consumption. Opponents, however, voiced concerns that the legislation could lead to increased incarceration rates and fail to effectively reduce fentanyl-related deaths. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) countered these arguments, stating that the bill will facilitate the seizure of fentanyl and the prosecution of those responsible for its production and distribution. He highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the tragic toll of fentanyl overdose deaths
FENTANYL HALT FENTANYL ACT SCHEDULE I DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS DEA US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
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