Santa Fe, NM–- Attorney General Hector Balderas today joined a bipartisan coalition of 56 attorneys general from every state, territory, and the District of Columbia in calling for Congress to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

“The opioid epidemic has ravaged our communities and torn apart New Mexican families, so public officials must use every tool we can to prevent dangerous drugs from continuing this destruction,” said Attorney General Balderas. “My office will continue to fight to ensure that New Mexico has the resources it needs to recover from the generations we have lost to this epidemic.”

In the letter, the Attorneys General urge Congress to pass S. 2701, the Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a temporary scheduling order in February 2018 to schedule fentanyl-related substances that has allowed federal law enforcement authorities to bring criminal actions against individuals who manufacture, distribute or handle fentanyl-related substances. This scheduling order is set to expire less than two months from now on Feb. 6, 2020. The FIGHT Fentanyl Act codifies DEA precedent to schedule fentanyl-related substances and will ensure law enforcement agencies and courts retain the tools needed to keep those who traffic in this deadly substance off the streets.

In the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 72,000 drug-related deaths in the United States in 2017. Of those deaths, roughly 40% involved fentanyl or a fentanyl-related compound. 

Attorneys general from every state, territory and the District of Columbia signed the letter. A copy of the letter is attached.

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