Fight for Drug Policy Based in Fact, Not Fear: Support the TEST Act

Studying fentanyl-related substances could be the key to addressing the ongoing overdose crisis. It would allow lifesaving medical research into these substances that may have potential to reverse overdoses and address the harsh criminal penalties that have unfairly impacted Black and brown people due to targeted policing.

Unfortunately, a Trump-era policy known as “classwide scheduling” has stood in the way. The policy created severe criminal penalties for all fentanyl-related substances based on fear instead of health or evidence.

Politicians are trying to make this policy permanent. Congress must decide the fate of this policy soon and we need your help to fight back.

The TEST Act is the first step toward putting science and facts first. It would require testing and scheduling of fentanyl-related substances based on potential for harm and allow research of potentially lifesaving medications to curb the overdose crisis. Tell your Senators to support this new bill to find new solutions that will save lives!

Take Action

Your Message

Subject

Dear Senator,

Message Body

Please cosponsor the Temporary Emergency Scheduling and Testing of Fentanyl Analogues Act of 2023 (TEST Act, S. 1950). This legislation requires the federal government to test fentanyl-related substances (FRS) and to schedule these substances according to the science.

In 2018, President Trump classified all FRS as Schedule I controlled substances. These substances were automatically placed on Schedule 1 based on chemical structure alone and, to this day, the vast majority have not been tested for actual potential bodily harm. The Biden administration is asking Congress to make this classwide scheduling permanent, despite concerns that the policy impedes research into treatments for opioid use disorder and imposes harsh criminal penalties for potentially inert or therapeutic substances

Designating a class of substances as Schedule I as a class before testing those substances for harm is unprecedented. Without testing, the federal government can impose restrictions and penalties on any substance it wants, regardless of whether or not it is actually harmful.

Please cosponsor the TEST Act to take a stand for drug policy based on science and health, not punishment. Thank you.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

Your Information

Salutation *

Alternate Salutation

Most elected officials’ constituent email systems accept a very limited set of salutations. Please select the one you would most prefer.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone

* Drug Policy Alliance is committed to protecting your privacy and will never share your email address.

If you sign and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from the Drug Policy Alliance.

If you take action and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from the Drug Policy Alliance.

If you donate and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from the Drug Policy Alliance.