Last updated : March 24, 2025
Iowan Senator, Chuck Grassley (R), first introduced the Halt All Legal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act back in January along with Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). After passing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a bipartisan vote of 16-5 in February, the HALT Act overwhelmingly passed the Senate as well on Friday, March 14th. The bipartisan vote was 84-16.
Grassley heartily thanked fellow congressmen, saying, “The HALT Fentanyl Act is a critical step towards ending the crisis that’s killing hundreds of thousands of precious American lives. I thank my Senate colleagues for passing this bill with broad, overwhelming support. I urge my House colleagues to swiftly pass the Senate version of this battle-tested, bipartisan bill to save lives, advance research, and support our brave men and women in blue.”
The next step is passing the House of Representatives and if it does—according to a confirmation from President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget—it will be signed into law.
Worth standing behind
The HALT Act has gained the support of over 40 major advocacy groups which includes Facing Fentanyl, a coalition of over 200 impacted family groups. Law enforcement officials across the nation stand in support of the bill’s passing as well with over one million officers being represented on record.
If signed into law, HALT will amend the Controlled Substances Act to “permanently classify illicit fentanyl knockoffs, known as fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1.” The bill distinguishes between illicit fentanyl-related substances and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved variety, thereby, preserving access to legitimate medical use.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) identifies Schedule 1 drugs as follows: “High abuse potential with no accepted medical use; medications within this schedule may not be prescribed, dispensed, or administered.”
The classification ensures that traffickers and manufacturers are punished when caught bringing or having these drugs in their possession within the United States. Lastly, the bill gives leeway for advancement in scientific and medical research allowing scientists to continue studying fentanyl-related substances.
It needs to be taken to task
The fact that people are unaware that they are ingesting the drug makes them more susceptible to overdose too. Opioids are the number one cause of death by overdose and fentanyl is present as a contributing factor in the majority of them overall.
According to the results of DEA laboratory testing, five out of ten confiscated pills tested contain fentanyl. It just takes two milligrams, comparable to a few granules of sugar, of this drug to be considered lethal. So, if we wanted to take things to a larger perspective, the DEA gave us a visual. A single sugar packet has the potential to kill 500 people.
Drug cartels add fentanyl to the mix because it’s cheap to manufacture. Of course, there are no specific rules and regulations to abide by. The “a little of this and a lot of that” method doesn’t bode well for United States citizens though. Many are taking the drug unbeknownst to them and overdosing.
Others seek it out
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is the preferred drug of some. They consume it by snorting or smoking the drug. It’s also obtainable in pill form or spiked onto blotter paper. Some dealers sell it in combination with heroin or other substances.
It’s sold on the black market under the following names:
- Apace
- China Girl
- China Town
- Dance Fever
- Friend
- Goodfellas
- Great Bear
- He-Man
- Jackpot
- King Ivory
- Murder
- Poison and Tango
- Cash
Users—who don’t die—keep using the drug to experience the following side effects:
- Relaxation
- Euphoria
- Pain relief
- Sedation
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Urinary retention
- Constricted pupils
- Slowed breathing
Signs of overdose include:
- Stupor
- Change in pupil size
- Clammy skin
- Coma
- Respiratory failure
The fix doesn’t always do the trick
Narcan, a product that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, doesn’t work on fentanyl in the way it does with other opioids either. Those who suffer from substance abuse disorder are urged to keep it with them but there is less of a chance it will do its job.
Supporters of the HALT Act have high hopes it will soon be signed into law. No one can guarantee that doing so will allow our country to end the flood of illegal fentanyl that’s been pouring into our country. However, it’s another positive force to add to the growing list. along with closing the borders and going after the cartels.
We salute your effort, Senator Grassley and team! Moreover, we’re thrilled that your colleagues are banding with you and hope it sails through the House in record time.
