H.R. 2142 provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection the latest in chemical screening devices to detect synthetic opioids
The Times
Legislation authored by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Niki Tsongas aimed at combating the opioid epidemic passed the Senate and now heads to the White House to be signed into law.
The International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act [H.R. 2142] provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection the latest in chemical screening devices and scientific support to detect and intercept fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The measure passed the House in October by a vote of 412–3. Companion legislation was introduced by Sens. Edward J. Markey, Marco Rubio, Sherrod Brown and Shelley Moore Capito.
“As communities across my district and across our nation continue to deal with the crisis of opioid abuse and addiction, it’s hard to imagine a synthetic drug up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine,” Fitzpatrick said. “The INTERDICT Act is bipartisan legislation that provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection access to the latest in chemical screening devices and scientific support to detect and intercept synthetic opioids before they can cause more harm. I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, first in the House and now the Senate, have voted to advance this important measure. I urge the president to quickly sign my INTERDICT Act into law so we can keep this poison off our streets.”
Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Although pharmaceutical fentanyl can be misused, most fentanyl deaths are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and illicit versions of chemically similar compounds known as fentanyl analogs. The primary source of fentanyl is outside of the United States, in Mexico or China. The drug is smuggled in across the U.S. border or delivered via mail or express consignment couriers. Fentanyl can also be ordered online. Because of its potency, fentanyl typically comes in small amounts, making it more difficult for authorities to detect.
Specifically, the INTERDICT Act ensures that Customs and Border Protection will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in its laboratories; provides Custom and Border Protection with sufficient resources, personnel and facilities — including scientists available during all operational hours — to interpret screening test results from the field; and authorizes the appropriation of $15 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities and personnel for support during all operational hours.
The Senate’s passage of the legislation comes shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report showing life expectancy declining in the U.S. The drop can be partially attributed to the rise in fatal drug overdoses.
The INTERDICT Act was included in the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force’s legislative agenda, and it was mentioned in the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis’ interim report. ••
