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Manchin Statement On ONDCP, DOJ, HHS Support For Permanent Scheduling Of Fentanyl-Related Substances

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

September 02, 2021

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) request for the permanent scheduling of fentanyl-related substances. Senator Manchin and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) reintroduced the bipartisan FIGHT Fentanyl Act earlier this year to permanently schedule illicitly manufactured and deadly fentanyl-related substances.

“Last year, 93,331 Americans and 1,377 West Virginians died from drug related overdoses, and nearly 3/4 of those deaths were related to opioids or synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances. It’s heartbreaking to lose so many of our fellow Americans to the drug epidemic that continues to ravage our nation,” Senator Manchin said. “Permanently scheduling fentanyl-related substances will literally save lives, and I am pleased ONDCP, DOJ and HHS support my bipartisan efforts to permanently schedule deadly fentanyl-related substances, providing law enforcement the tools they need to respond to illicitly trafficked and manufactured fentanyl analogs. This is a step in the right direction, and I urge the Biden Administration and my bipartisan colleagues to join us in permanently scheduling deadly fentanyl-related substances.”

Senator Manchin’s recent work to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances:

  • February 22, 2021: Senators Manchin and Portman reintroduced the bipartisan Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act to permanently schedule illicitly manufactured and deadly fentanyl.
  • April 21, 2021: Senator Manchin delivered remarks on the Senate Floor urging Congress to pass his bipartisan bill, the FIGHT Fentanyl Act.
  • April 29, 2021: Senator Manchin called on Congress to pass permanent rescheduling of fentanyl-related substances after the Senate unanimously passed an extension of the temporary fentanyl rescheduling through October 22, 2021.

Senator Manchin’s efforts to combat the drug epidemic can be found here.