U.S. Senator Ashley Moody is part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who have introduced a proposed bill to classify Nitazene, a synthetic opioid, as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
Joining Moody in introducing the proposed Nitazene Control Act are Arizona Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego and Pennsylvania Republican Senator Dave McCormick.
“As the former Attorney General of Florida, I signed an emergency rule adding deadly Nitazene compounds to the Schedule I controlled substance list and worked with the state Legislature to make that ban permanent,” Moody said. “Now, as Florida’s newest U.S. Senator, I am taking this fight to the federal level by introducing the Nitazene Control Act with my colleagues that will extend this ban nationwide. These lethal synthetic opioid compounds pose an enormous threat to Americans, and this critical bill will help us save lives.”
Schedule I classification, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is the highest rating for drugs considered to have the highest likelihood of abuse and the most severe psychological or physical dependence.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation describes Nitazene as a synthetic drug developed about 60 years ago as an alternative to morphine. However, the drug was never widely distributed due to its high potential for overdose.
Nitazene is also a component found in psychoactive substances such as ketamine, heroin, and synthetic cannabinoids.
Senator Gallego highlighted the grave impact Nitazene has already had in Arizona and expressed strong support for its proposed Schedule I classification.
“Families across Arizona have already been torn apart by the opioid and fentanyl epidemic, and now Nitazenes threaten to make this crisis even worse. These synthetic opioids are stronger and deadlier than fentanyl, and they are starting to be abused more frequently,” said Gallego. “The Nitazene Control Act will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep these drugs out of our communities and save lives. I’m proud to support this bipartisan bill to protect Arizona families from the next wave of the opioid epidemic.”
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/763543-ashley-moody-part-of-introduction-of-new-bill-designed-to-stem-nitazene-trafficking/
