Sen. Portman bill to criminalize fentanyl gets support from US attorneys general

Attorneys general from every U.S. state and territory have endorsed a bill by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) that would permanently criminalize fentanyl-related substances.

In February 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a temporary order to criminalize fentanyl-related substances. This allowed federal law enforcement authorities to bring criminal actions against individuals who manufacture, distribute, or handle fentanyl-related substances. This temporary order is set to expire on Feb. 6, 2020.

Portman’s bill – the Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act – would make this order permanent.

“I appreciate Ohio Attorney General Yost and Michigan Attorney General Nessel leading all of our country’s attorneys general in urging Congress to pass the FIGHT Fentanyl Act, my bipartisan legislation to permanently criminalize fentanyl-related substances in the United States,” Portman said. “Fentanyl knows no zip code and is devastating individuals and families all across the country. This bipartisan legislation is vital to our efforts to keep fentanyl out of our communities, and I urge my colleagues in Congress listen to our attorneys general and join in supporting this common-sense legislation.”

In their endorsement, the attorneys general said the legislation is critical to federal and state efforts to curb the opioid epidemic both nationally and locally.

“Senator Portman realized the urgency required to combat this catastrophic killer,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Through his leadership, we will keep this dangerous, highly addictive opioid as a Schedule I drug.”