Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Target Illicit Fentanyl Supply Chain

On April 25th, 2023, Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Tim Scott (SC) introduced the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act. This bill uses sanctions and anti-laundering techniques to combat the fentanyl crisis. The bill will target the illicit fentanyl supply chain, including the precursor chemical suppliers in China and cartel manufacturers in Mexico. The legislation will empower the Treasury Department and White House to target, sanction, and block the financial assets of participating organizations and individuals. Along with the economic measures, the bill will declare the global trafficking of fentanyl a national emergency, require reports to Congress on actions taken to reduce fentanyl trafficking, and allow the Treasury Department to use special measures to fight fentanyl-related laundering. Upon the bill’s introduction, Senator Scott noted, “Fentanyl takes the lives of far too many young Americans, stripping a whole generation of the opportunity to contribute to their communities and achieve their dreams. This legislation takes decisive action to cut off the deadly flow of fentanyl at the source. By using the full weight of America’s economic power and directing the Treasury Department to make addressing this crisis a priority, this bill will restore hope for communities suffering from this deadly drug.”

Articles & Resources

Sen. Sherrod Brown—Brown Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Target the Illicit Fentanyl Supply Chain

DEA Hosts 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

On Saturday, April 22nd, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) held its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. With more than 4,000 drop sites nationwide, this event allows individuals to safely and anonymously dispose of medication. This event was created to limit the risk of addiction from leftover, expired, or unwanted drugs. For many, these unnecessary drugs can be a gateway to opioid dependency. In Florida alone, DEA set up over 200 collection sites. Additionally, DEA reminds everyone that close to 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses have safe disposal sites year-round. In October 2022, with 4,902 collection sites, DEA collected 647,163 pounds of disposed medications. The combined Take-Back Days total weight is 16,636,729 pounds. To learn more about National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, please visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

Articles & Resources

DEA—National Prescription Take Back Day to Remove Unneeded Prescriptions, Prevent Addiction

What We Read Last Week

Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the topic. Links to relevant articles are provided below.

Governor Hochul – Governor Hochul Announces Award of More Than $5.8 Million for New Addiction Treatment Programs in New York State

Governor Newsom – Governor Newsom Announces Public Safety Partnership to Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking in San Francisco

Fox News – Kentucky Records 1st Decline in Drug Overdose Death in 4 Years

New York Times – Sacklers Gave Millions to Institution that Advises on Opioid Policy

STAT—Why Involuntary Treatment for Addiction is a Dangerous Idea

UCLA—UCLA Health Seeks Participants for First-Of-Its-Kind Study Using Injectable Buprenorphine to Treat Methamphetamine Use Disorder and Opioid Co-Use

USA Today—Narcan at Music Festivals? The Life-Saving Drug Naloxone is Coming to Concert Near You

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