Katko sponsors bipartisan bill to end import of synthetic drugs

Bicameral, bipartisan legislation introduced this month by U.S Rep. John Katko (R-NY) aims to help law enforcement crack down on the rapid increase in fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

“Unfortunately, central New Yorkers are all too familiar with the devastation caused by heroin and deadly synthetic drugs,” Rep. Katko said. “That’s why, in addition to expanding substance use disorder treatment options, we need to ensure law enforcement is fully equipped to stop the inflow of these toxic drugs.” 

Rep. Katko on July 16 sponsored the Stop the Importation and Manufacturing of Synthetic Analogues (SIMSA) Act of 2021, H.R. 4459, with cosponsor Kathleen Rice (D-NY). The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act to clarify how controlled substance analogues that are imported or offered for import are to be regulated, according to the congressional record bill summary.

U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on July 15 introduced the companion bill, S. 2351, in the U.S. Senate.

If enacted, the legislation would allow substances to be temporarily or permanently added to a new category of controlled substances, known as Schedule A, if their chemical structure is substantially similar to an existing controlled substance and they are expected to have the same or greater effect on the human body, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Katko’s staff, which said such action would result in faster control of drugs designed to be used in the same illicit manner as already regulated or outlawed drugs. 

“With this bipartisan, bicameral legislation, law enforcement will be able to expeditiously schedule new synthetic drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, so that we can crack down on international drug traffickers and prevent these dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said Rep. Katko.

The National Association of Police Organizations, the National District Attorneys Association, Drug Free America Foundation, Save Our Society From Drugs, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys and the Major Cities Chiefs Association have endorsed the measure.