S 165119th CongressIn Committee

Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act

Introduced: Jan 21, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to place fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I, unless they are already exempted or listed in another schedule. It creates a broad, structural-based definition of fentanyl-related substances, covering isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and related compounds that are structurally related to fentanyl through specified modifications. The bill takes effect one day after enactment. The intended effect is to curb overdoses by restricting a wide array of fentanyl analogues in the same high-control category as other drugs with no accepted medical use.

Key Points

1Adds a new Schedule I designation (section 202(c), amended) for any material containing fentanyl-related substances, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and related forms, unless exempted or listed elsewhere.
2Defines fentanyl-related substances broadly by listing specific structural modifications that would classify a compound as related to fentanyl (e.g., changes to the phenyl/phenethyl groups, substitutions on the piperidine ring, changes to the aniline ring, and alternative acyl groups).
3The classification applies to substances “whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation,” making even potential or hypothetical analogues subject to control.
4Effective date is one day after enactment, meaning the scheduling would take effect almost immediately after the law becomes law.
5The bill references the standard Schedule I criteria under the Controlled Substances Act (high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use or safety data) by placing fentanyl-related substances in that schedule.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Individuals who manufacture, distribute, or possess fentanyl-related substances; federal and state law enforcement and prosecutors; public health and overdose prevention programs.Secondary group/area affected: Researchers and healthcare providers working with fentanyl analogues or related compounds; pharmaceutical and chemical companies conducting fentanyl-related research or drug development.Additional impacts: Potential changes in criminal penalties and enforcement priorities for fentanyl analogues; potential implications for legitimate research requiring regulatory approvals; impact on overdose prevention strategies and illicit drug supply monitoring.

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