Luetkemeyer Introduces Bill to Stop Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking

Statement

Last week, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) introduced the bipartisan Stopping Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act to permanently schedule all illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This legislation would permanently codify the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) emergency scheduling of illicit fentanyl which is set to expire in February 2020.

"In 2018 alone, we lost 1,132 Missourians to opioid overdoses. 75% of those were fentanyl related. In the past few years, deaths related to fentanyl have seen a 1,000% increase. These numbers are as shocking as they are heartbreaking," said Congressmen Luetkemeyer. "This bill requires all fentanyl-like substances that do not have a medical purpose to be listed as Schedule 1 drugs. It also creates a formal review process for the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to re-schedule a substance if it has a medical purpose. With the scheduling made permanent, law enforcement can better stop the illegal flow of this deadly substance while still allowing the necessary medical research to be conducted."

"In the midst of the opioid crisis that claimed nearly 1,000 Missourians last year, the recent surge of fentanyl has drastically exacerbated the problem and devastated parts of Missouri and the country. We support action and legislation to stop this flow of deadly fentanyl into our state and stem overdose deaths," said Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

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