U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joins Representatives Ken Buck (CO-04), David Joyce (OH-14), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), and Lou Correa (CA-46) in cosponsoring the House companion to Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-IA) Stop Pills That Kill Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation seeks to deter narcotics traffickers and strengthen the nationwide fight against fentanyl by implementing new penalties for counterfeit pill production.
"In 2021, fentanyl overdose was the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45," said Congressman Westerman. "This bipartisan legislation is another vital tool in our fight against these counterfeit narcotics that are destroying lives. We have seen too many tragedies in Arkansas and across the nation as a result of this deadly drug. We must protect our communities and ensure those who are peddling this poison are met with the strongest deterrents possible."
“In Eastern Colorado and across the nation, families, businesses, and communities continue to face hardships due to the opioid epidemic,” said Congressman Buck. “As this public health crisis continues to fester, this legislation—supported by Republicans and Democrats in both Houses of Congress— will take an important step in a multifaceted approach to crack down on dangerous counterfeit pills that are killing Americans in droves.”
“Drug traffickers are mass-producing fake pills, often with fentanyl, without any care as to who their poisons kill,” said Congressman Joyce. “I’m proud to join Rep. Buck in leading the effort to ramp up criminal penalties to deter this illegal activity, which has increasingly targeted minors and young adults. We cannot allow these criminals to continue to break apart families and threaten the safety of our communities.”
“Arizona is in the midst of a tragic overdose crisis, and counterfeit pills from China and Mexico are driving so much of it. Drug traffickers are manufacturing counterfeit pills with deadly substances like methamphetamine and fentanyl, often selling the lookalikes over social media to teens and young adults,” said Congressman Stanton. “Our bipartisan bill will crack down on these drug traffickers and help save lives.”
The Stop Pills That Kill Act applies the existing penalties for possessing paraphernalia for manufacturing methamphetamine to the paraphernalia for making counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and methamphetamine.
The bill instructs the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to create an in-depth plan for stopping the rapid spread of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine in communities across America. It also requires the Attorney General, in conjunction with the DEA and Office of National Drug Control, to submit an annual report to Congress on the risks of pills laced with illicit drugs, along with information on efforts to raise public awareness and actions from law enforcement to combat this scourge.
It is supported by the National District Attorneys Association, National Rural Health Association, National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Community Anti-Drug Coalition, National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Song for Charlie, and Victims of Illicit Drugs.
Full bill text can be found by clicking HERE.
Original source can be found here.
