Combating the Opioid Crisis

Washington, D.C. — The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY) participated in a hearing on substance use disorders becoming worse because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged the Democrats to join Republicans in combating fentanyl-related substances and keeping these lethal drugs off America’s streets. The emergency scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances is set to expire on May 6, 2021, unless Congress makes it permanent or issues an extension.

Excerpts and highlights from his prepared remarks:

THE TOLL OF FENTANYL

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and House Judiciary Committee Republican Leader Jim Jordan (R-OH) are leading legislation that will continue to keep fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. In addition, the Leaders are calling on Democrats in Congress to work with Republicans to make this move permanent.

“Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin...

Excerpt: “Each calendar year, the DEA sets the aggregate production quota (APQ) of controlled substances, including opioids, to ensure that patients have the medicines they need while also reducing excess production of controlled prescription drugs that can be diverted and misused,” wrote Walden, Guthrie, Burgess, and Griffith.

Click HERE to read the letter to DEA.