U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on June 14 cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would implement new penalties for the production of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other related substances that have led to America’s opioid overdose crisis.
“Illicit pills laced with fentanyl have contributed to the deadly opioid epidemic that has impacted too many Ohio families,” Rep. Joyce said. “I’m proud to lead the effort to help authorities crack down on the rising production of counterfeit pills and prevent tragic overdose deaths.”
The Stop Pills that Kill Act, H.R. 4105, which Rep. Joyce cosponsored alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) and two other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), would implement penalties for possessing paraphernalia used to manufacture counterfeit pills laced with methamphetamine, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogues, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, H.R. 4105 would require the Drug Enforcement Administration to create an extensive plan for combating the surge of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine throughout the country, the summary says.
“Counterfeit pills are ravaging our most vulnerable communities and taking countless lives across the country,” said Rep. Buck. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to crack down on the criminals peddling these drugs and help keep our communities safe.”
H.R. 4105 has been endorsed by the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations Coalition, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Song for Charlie, Victims of Illicit Drugs, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National District Attorneys’ Association, and the National Rural Health Association.
“Drug traffickers are pumping fentanyl into America in the form of counterfeit prescription pills and it’s worsening the opioid epidemic, particularly among teens and young adults,” Rep. Stanton said. “Our bipartisan legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on these criminals and save lives.”