Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), re-introduced the bipartisan Criminalizing Abused Substance Templates (CAST) Act. The CAST Act modifies the Controlled Substances Act to define the criminal penalty for making counterfeit drugs using a pill press. Current law prohibits this practice but does not define the penalty. The CAST Act will make possession of a pill press mold, with the intent to counterfeit schedule I or II substances, a crime and allow for sentencing on possession alone for up to 20 years.
“The opioid epidemic has ravaged our communities in West Tennessee and across our nation. Unfortunately, as we continue to battle COVID-19, the opioid crisis has only grown worse. We owe it to our loved ones to take stronger action to fight back against this public health emergency. The CAST Act is the much needed, bold step forward in this fight,” said Rep. David Kustoff. “It will increase penalties against possession of harmful drugs and pill press molds, helping to combat the illegal drug market and the dangers it presents to our citizens and our brave law enforcement officers across the nation. I am honored to take the lead on this strongly bipartisan bill in Congress, and I look forward to working with Congresswoman Spanberger and my colleagues to pass this important legislation.”
“Families, businesses, and entire communities in Virginia continue to face immense challenges due to opioid abuse. As this public health crisis significantly worsens as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we also face the threat of extremely dangerous substances — such as fentanyl — being pressed into illicit pills and sold on our streets,” said Spanberger. “This bill would help crack down on the production of counterfeit drugs via illicit pill press molds. By deterring drug traffickers and those who produce illicit drugs, we would take another step in the fight against fentanyl-related deaths. I’m proud to stand alongside Congressman Kustoff to reintroduce this legislation, and I’ll keep working with my colleagues to prevent overdoses, increase access to treatment, and build new pathways for Virginians to achieve long-term recovery.”
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