The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs. Supporters argue that there are thousands of fentanyl analogues that cannot be analyzed quickly enough to determine which are harmful and which are not, which is why all fentanyl-related substances need to be classified in Schedule I. FRS has been temporarily classified that way on an emergency basis since 2018. However, most Democrats opposed the bill, arguing that the penalties it imposes for producing and selling fentanyl analogues would fall unfairly on minorities and exacerbate inequities in the criminal justice system.
As stated by Fox News, the House of Representatives has passed a bill that would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, subjecting them to the toughest federal prison terms and penalties. The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act was approved by a 289-133 vote, with 132 Democrats opposing the bill despite White House support. In the final vote, 74 Democrats supported the bill, and only one Republican voted against it.
Supporters of the bill argue that there are thousands of fentanyl analogues that cannot be analyzed quickly enough to determine which are harmful and which are not. Therefore, all fentanyl-related substances need to be classified under Schedule I. FRS has been temporarily classified this way on an emergency basis since 2018, and the House bill would make it permanent. The White House has stated that “The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances (FRS) not otherwise scheduled into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act as a class and expedite research into fentanyl-related substances, which the Administration has long supported.”
However, during the floor debate on the bill, several Democrats argued against it, saying that the penalties it imposes for producing and selling fentanyl analogues would unfairly impact minorities. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., stated that the bill is a repeat of the “war on drugs” from the 1980s that will result in jail time for “Black and Brown” people. “Did we learn nothing from the war on drugs? I guess not,” she said. “Back then, we enacted ineffective and punitive laws that only worked to expand mass incarceration, mostly of Black and Brown folks. This legislation will enact ineffective and punitive drug laws that only work to expand mass incarceration.”
Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said that Democrats support permanently classifying FRS on Schedule I, but only if the bill is “carefully designed to avoid exacerbating inequities in our criminal justice system.”
The issue of fentanyl-related substances has been a growing concern in recent years. Iowa State Troopers claim that fentanyl is changing the state from a drive-through to a drug distribution center. More fentanyl is being trafficked to the Northwest on Interstate 5, with law enforcement officials saying that they are seeing a trend. The drug is highly addictive and can be deadly in small doses, making it a significant public health concern.
Taking everything into account, the House passing the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs is a significant step in addressing the growing problem of fentanyl-related deaths. However, the bill’s opponents argue that the penalties it imposes will unfairly impact minorities and exacerbate inequities in the criminal justice system. As the issue continues to be debated, it is essential to find a solution that effectively addresses the problem while also addressing concerns about equity and fairness in the criminal justice system.
