Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune addressed the Senate floor to discuss the human impact of fentanyl and related legislation. Thune highlighted that in 2022, an average of 295 people died daily from drug overdoses, with most involving opioids like fentanyl. He noted that 22 teenagers succumbed weekly to overdoses, equating to losing an entire high school classroom every week.

Thune pointed out that illegal fentanyl often enters the U.S. through its southern border as analogues—chemically altered versions designed to evade law enforcement detection. "And so getting this crisis under control requires targeting that flow of drugs," he stated.

The HALT Fentanyl Act is a legislative measure aimed at permanently classifying fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances, considered the deadliest type of drug. This classification would provide law enforcement with more flexibility in combating fentanyl distribution and holding accountable those involved in its trade.

Thune acknowledged previous efforts by former President Trump to temporarily classify these substances as Schedule I and urged Congress to make this classification permanent. He expressed satisfaction with a recent bipartisan vote on advancing the bill and hopes for continued bipartisan support in the final vote.

"The fentanyl crisis affects every corner of society and every state in the union," said Thune, citing an incident where Sioux Falls police seized enough fentanyl to potentially kill 2.5 million people.

He extended gratitude towards Senators Cassidy, Grassley, Heinrich, Johnson, and Graham for their contributions to addressing the crisis and called for unity among senators to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act.