Commentary
Having collaborated with President Donald Trump on the
First Step Act, I understand the detrimental effects of overly harsh crime laws. However, I wholeheartedly endorse the HALT Fentanyl Act for its contributions to public health and fair enforcement.
Trump recently visited the Justice Department to reaffirm his dedication to combatting the fentanyl crisis. It was a privilege to attend this event, where I heard Attorney General Pam Bondi speak. Sitting beside a scientist who tragically lost her son to fentanyl, I also listened to grieving mothers share stories of losing their children to this deadly drug.
These individuals came together in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act, a crucial response to America’s opioid epidemic.
The opioid crisis, particularly fueled by fentanyl and its analogs, has reached alarming levels. Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, accounted for nearly 75,000 deaths in 2022 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The proliferation of fentanyl-related substances, often modified to evade legal constraints, poses a significant challenge for law enforcement and public health officials. The
HALT Fentanyl Act, which designates fentanyl analogs as Schedule I substances permanently, is a vital tool in closing these dangerous loopholes and combating the spread of these lethal drugs.
As reported by the
U.S. Sentencing Commission, “five fentanyl analogues: carfentanil, furanyl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl (or para-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl), and cyclopropyl fentanyl accounted for 76.4 percent of the fentanyl analogues trafficked in fiscal year 2019.”
The current legal framework allows manufacturers to easily evade accountability. Each new fentanyl analog must undergo individual scheduling, involving lengthy bureaucratic procedures,
scientific studies, and legal disputes. By the time these substances are officially scheduled as regulated drugs, traffickers have already moved on to new, slightly modified fentanyl analogs, staying ahead of the law.
This loophole has been exploited for years—between 2012 and early 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
encountered seven new fentanyl analogs, followed by 12 more during a 261-day period in late 2016 and 2017.
The Hazards of Fentanyl Analogs
Fentanyl is already 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making it one of the most lethal drugs available. Illicit manufacturers constantly alter its chemical makeup to produce new analogs with similar effects while remaining technically legal until individually scheduled by the DEA. This chemical cat-and-mouse game has allowed new synthetic opioids to flood the streets before authorities can respond effectively.
Under
the HALT Fentanyl Act, such fentanyl-related substances would be automatically classified as Schedule I, expediting enforcement efforts.
Furanyl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl have minimal chemical variations from fentanyl that do not affect the drug’s function but allow traffickers to sidestep legal restrictions. Acetyl fentanyl has been marketed by drug dealers as “legal fentanyl,” despite emergency restrictions imposed after fatal overdoses.
The HALT Fentanyl Act ensures that any modifications to fentanyl’s chemical structure will immediately be deemed illegal, preventing traffickers from exploiting minor alterations.
Addressing Concerns About Overcriminalization
Opponents of the HALT Fentanyl Act argue that broad drug scheduling may lead to overcriminalization and impede medical research. However, the bill includes explicit provisions for medical and scientific research, allowing legitimate researchers to seek exemptions while safeguarding public safety. Additionally, the legislation targets illicit drug manufacturers rather than individual users, ensuring that individuals struggling with addiction receive treatment rather than imprisonment.
Furthermore, the presence of fentanyl-related substances in illicit drug markets, many of which have little to no medical utility, is concerning. The bill focuses on fentanyl analogs that pose a clear public health threat, and its implementation is a crucial step in dismantling the extensive networks distributing these dangerous drugs.
Law Enforcement Requires This Measure
Law enforcement authorities have long advocated for broader classification of fentanyl analogs, as current laws force them to play catch-up with drug manufacturers. By the time one fentanyl analog is scheduled, multiple new versions are already in circulation. The HALT Fentanyl Act presents a proactive approach, ensuring that any structurally related fentanyl analog is promptly classified as a Schedule I substance, eliminating the lag time exploited by traffickers.
Without this legislation, law enforcement encounters unnecessary legal obstacles that allow fentanyl analogs to persist. By equipping authorities with the necessary tools to address these substances comprehensively, the HALT Fentanyl Act has the potential to save countless lives.
Fentanyl is no longer just a crisis—it has become a national emergency. The HALT Fentanyl Act is not about restricting access to essential medications or increasing mandatory minimums; it is about closing legal gaps that sophisticated traffickers exploit to inundate our communities with lethal substances.
By endorsing this legislation, we take a crucial step toward safeguarding families, empowering law enforcement, and preventing fentanyl analogs from continuing to claim innocent lives.
Views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times.
