The U.S. House passed the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Senate is expected to vote on it very soon. Don’t let the name fool you. This bill will only halt the health approaches to fentanyl our communities need to stay alive.
The bill will block potential research that could uncover new overdose medications. The bill permanently makes all fentanyl-related substances Schedule I without first testing them for potential benefits. In fact, of the few fentanyl-related substances the federal government has tested, at least one showed properties similar to the overdose-reversing medication naloxone.
This bill will also double down on mandatary minimum sentencing and harsh criminal penalties. These laws separate families, create unjust sentences that do not consider individual circumstances, and divert resources away from health interventions.
We are all concerned about fentanyl and overdose, but we can’t arrest our way out of this crisis. Tell your U.S. Senators to oppose this bill and prioritize health over handcuffs.