Friend, did you know that some fentanyl-related substances could be the key to addressing the ongoing overdose crisis?

Congress will soon decide the fate of allowing lifesaving medical research into these substances that may have potential to reverse overdoses, while addressing harsh criminal penalties that unfairly impact Black and brown people due to targeted policing.

It’s time for Congress to overturn the Trump-era policy that created severe new criminal penalties for all fentanyl-related substances based on fear, not health or evidence.

Politicians are trying to make this policy permanent. Congress must now decide what to do by the end of the year. But we’ve been fighting back and advocating for a new approach based in science and health that can save lives.

Today, we just took a step forward by collaborating with Senator Cory Booker to introduce the Temporary Emergency Scheduling and Testing of Fentanyl Analogues Act (TEST Act). Tell your Senators to support it and take the first step to find new solutions to the overdose crisis with necessary medical research.

The bill would require the federal government to test fentanyl-related substances (FRS) that are currently classified as Schedule I and delist those that are not harmful. It would also allow research into potential overdose-reversing medications and take a step toward addressing wrongful convictions.

Designating a class of substances as Schedule I before testing those substances for harm is unprecedented. Without testing, the federal government can impose restrictions on any substance it wants, regardless of whether or not it is actually harmful.

That is what’s been happening with fentanyl-related substances for the last five years due to drug war panic and misinformation. This has led to unjust criminal convictions and blocked research into potentially lifesaving treatments.

The TEST Act is a new way forward that will address the overdose crisis with science and compassion instead of punishment. Please take action to build support for this new bill and fight for drug policy based in health and science, not fear.

Sincerely,

Maritza Perez
Director, Office of Federal Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance

The Drug Policy Alliance depends entirely on private donations to fund our work to end the war on drugs and promote new drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights. Your support is crucial – thank you! Donate now.

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