Press Releases
Bucshon Protects Hoosiers from Fentanyl, Votes to Pass the HALT Fentanyl Act
Washington,
May 25, 2023
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.-08) voted in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act which passed out of the House of Representatives by a 289-133 vote. This legislation will help our nation’s law enforcement get this highly lethal drug off our streets by making the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances permanent. In addition, this bill also ensures practitioners can research fentanyl-related substances (FRS) so we can better understand its overall effects on people's health. “I am proud that Congress has taken the first step towards addressing our country’s illicit fentanyl crisis by passing the HALT Fentanyl Act. This critical legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to fight against this highly lethal drug and give hope to the Hoosiers whose family, friends, and loved ones who have been impacted by illicit fentanyl use. With some estimates showing that more than 150 people die every day from synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl, it is critical that we get this legislation signed into law,” said Dr. Bucshon.
Background: Illicit fentanyl poisonings are now the number one cause of death among adults 18-49—more than COVID-19, cancer, heart disease, and car accidents. If Congress did not pass the HALT Fentanyl Act, and the emergency class-wide scheduling order expired:
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