Should those responsible for fentanyl-related substance abuse face 10 to 100 years in federal prison?

Crime and Law Enforcement (e.g., Gun Laws)
HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 467)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

The proposed bill would designate fentanyl-related substances into section 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. A Schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical with a high potential for abuse, not allowed to be used medicinally, and subject to regulatory sanctions, whether administrative, civil, or criminal under the Controlled Substances Act. The bill also would make it easier to register for research related to controlled substances. If found guilty of fentanyl-related abuse, one would be subject to 10 to 100 years in federal prison. Sponsor: Rep. Morgan Griffith (Republican, Virginia, District 9)
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Opponents say

•   "It’s sad to see lawmakers revert to over-criminalization once again when we have 50 years of evidence that the war on drugs has been an abject failure. A vote for this bill was a vote against evidence and science." Source: Laura Pitter (US Program at Human Rights Watch)


•  "Our communities deserve a health approach to fentanyl, not increased punishment that has exacerbated harm for far too long. Yet, today, the House outrageously passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, an incredibly dangerous bill that would ramp up drug war punishment and greatly increase the use of mandatory minimums for fentanyl analogues. Today's setback isn't the end. Join the fight in the Senate. Raise your voice, urge Senators to oppose the HALT Fentanyl Act and instead embrace a health approach to fentanyl and the overdose crisis." Source: Kassandra Frederique (Drug Policy Alliance)


•   "I voted against the mandatory minimums in the HALT Fentanyl Act because history shows this won't solve the drug crisis. We tried that in the '90s and have nothing to show for it but generations of men and women – disproportionately people of color – lost to mass incarceration." Source: Rep. David Trone (Democrat, Maryland, 6th District)

Proponents say

•   "While drug cartels take advantage of the Biden Administration’s open border policies, this legislation takes concrete steps to protect Americans during this public health crisis by commonsense and necessary changes and providing law enforcement the tools they need to stop fentanyl-related substances from entering our nation. I was proud to support its passage." Source: Rep. Tom Cole (Republican, Oklahoma, District 4)


•  "Since October, CBP has seized over 14,000 pounds of fentanyl - enough to kill over 3.1 billion people. While Joe Biden has no plan to prevent this deadly drug from being smuggled into our interior, House Republicans are taking action TODAY by voting on the HALT Fentanyl Act." Source: Rep. Ben Cline (Republican, Virginia, 6th District)


•   "Today, we came together for a more secure future for every community in America. The HALT Fentanyl Act just PASSED the House with bipartisan support to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep this deadly drug off the street and save lives." Source: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, Washington, 5th District)

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