Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senator Todd Young, representing Indiana, has collaborated with fellow lawmakers to reintroduce the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act. This legislation aims to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. The House of Representatives passed companion legislation earlier this week.

Senator Young stated, "Illegally-created fentanyl derivatives are pouring across the southern border and devastating communities in Indiana and across the country. The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently classify these deadly drugs as Schedule I substances to ensure their sale and distribution can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation as soon as possible to empower law enforcement with this critical tool in the fight against opioids."

Currently, fentanyl is a scheduled substance; however, Mexican drug cartels often alter its chemical structure slightly to create similar dangerous drugs known as fentanyl-related substances that evade control.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had previously used its authority to temporarily classify these substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. This temporary order will expire on March 31, 2025, unless Congress takes action.

The HALT Fentanyl Act seeks not only to maintain fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I but also clarifies that mandatory minimum penalties for fentanyl trafficking will apply equally to these related substances.

Alongside Senator Young, several other senators have introduced this bill: John Kennedy from Louisiana, Chuck Grassley from Iowa, Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, Martin Heinrich from New Mexico, Roger Marshall from Kansas, Steve Daines from Montana, Eric Schmitt from Missouri, Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia, Ruben Gallego from Arizona, Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, Mike Rounds from South Dakota, and Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire.

Senator Young was instrumental in leading a similar legislative effort in 2023.