Cheyenne, OK – Yesterday, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) joined Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) and 115 Republicans sending a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to take immediate action to stem the fentanyl scourge coming from China and across the southern border, and support making fentanyl related substances Schedule 1 classification permanent.

“Fentanyl flooding into our country isn’t just affecting border states, it’s touching the lives of Oklahomans and people across America. Fentanyl seizures at our borders increased 134% in fiscal year 2021- a stark reminder that the crisis at our southern border is both a humanitarian crisis and public health crisis,” said Congressman Lucas. “President Biden’s failure to take action to disrupt the flow of fentanyl at our borders is costing American lives- it’s time to secure our border and halt the flow of these dangerous substances into the United States. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this letter to urge President Biden to take long-overdue action and permanently designate fentanyl a Schedule 1 drug.”

Drug overdoses have claimed more Americans lives each year than ever before. Fentanyl and fentanyl related substances are fueling the overdose epidemic, killing 64,178 Americans between May 2020 and April 2021 and making up 64% of total U.S. overdose deaths. This highly lethal synthetic opioid is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.

“Fentanyl kills more people age 18-45 than car accidents, suicide, or COVID-19,” said Congressman Bryan Steil. “We cannot stand by and watch as Americans are being killed by the flood of fentanyl related substances coming into our country. It is past time for President Biden to take seriously the need to secure our border, and make permanent fentanyl related substances Schedule 1 classification.”

Fentanyl related substances have been on a temporary scheduling for Schedule I classification. The Schedule I classification will expire February 18, 2022 when government funding expires. The letter seeks to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl and fentanyl related substances permanent, meaning no medical benefit for this drug.

To read the full text of the letter click here.

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