Dear Senators Schumer and McConnell,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to urge you and the Senate to swiftly consider and pass H.R. 2630, a bill which would extend the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances until 22 October 2021. The measure passed the House yesterday on a voice vote under suspension of the rules.
Drug overdose deaths continue to surge across the country due, in large part, to synthetic opioids—primarily fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates there were an estimated 50,000 deaths from synthetic opioids between July 2019 and July 2020. Congress gave the DEA the authority to categorize fentanyl and its analogues as Schedule I drugs, but this authority will expire on 6 May 2021 unless Congress passes H.R. 2630. The DEA’s scheduling authority played a significant role in curbing the flow of fentanyl-related substances into our communities and must be extended to allow Congress more time to consider a permanent solution.
On behalf of the more than 356,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge that the Senate consider and pass H.R. 2630 as swiftly as possible. If I can be of any further assistance on this or any other issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President