Katko introduces bipartisan bill to crack down on sale of synthetic drugs

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on Thursday would help fight the synthetic drug epidemic by adding 22 substances to the list of Schedule I drugs.

The Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act, H.R. 5934, introduced by Katko and U.S. Rep. David Cicciline (D-RI), would add 22 substances, including forms of fentanyl and 11 synthetic chemicals used to create synthetic marijuana, to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

“Sadly, Syracuse has become known ‘Spike Nation,’ suffering from a surge in abuse of synthetic drugs,” Katko said. “This scourge has hit Central New York families hard — like Teresa Woolson from Oswego, who lost her son Victor to synthetic drugs in 2012. Teresa has worked tirelessly to combat this public health epidemic. For Teresa and the many advocates that fight beside her in Central New York, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that takes aim at this threat.”

Congress acted in 2012 to outlaw a number of synthetic drugs, but manufacturers were able to tweak the chemical structure of the illegal drugs to sidestep federal prohibitions.

“The bill I’ve introduced will provide support to our local law enforcement in removing these dangerous substances from our streets and will make it more difficult for manufacturers to produce this poison,” Katko, a former federal prosecutor, said. “I’m grateful for the bipartisan support of Rep. Cicilline, and look forward to working together to ensure that this bill moves forward in the House.”

Katko previously introduced the Protecting Our Youth from Dangerous Drugs Act to make it easier for local law enforcers to prosecute individuals for selling and distributing synthetic substances.

“Synthetic drugs are nothing more then lethal poisons,” Onondaga County, N.Y., District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said. “Since they’ve hit the streets, they have caused more death, tragedy and destruction then any public health epidemic in recent memory. Unfortunately the traffickers of synthetic drugs have been able to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Fortunately, John Katko’s experience as a federal prosecutor has given him keen insight into these issues. This legislation will make it easier to arrest and prosecute dealers, traffickers and manufacturers of synthetic drugs. It is a desperately needed weapon to help us in our battle to eradicate this poison from our communities.”

More Articles About John Katko
More Articles About Government reform