Taking action against the opioid epidemic, Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, co-sponsored the “Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act” on Thursday, which would ensure that fentanyl-related substances are to remain federally controlled if approved by Congress.

Garcia is urging Congress to permanently define fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in order to maintain their status as controlled substances, as well as add five additional fentanyl analogs. 

On February 6, 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used their emergency scheduling authority to temporarily place certain fentanyl analogs onto Schedule I of the list of controlled substances, allowing the DEA to better combat the opioid epidemic, according to Garcia’s office.

This temporary scheduling authority expires in six legislative days on May 6.

“Far too many communities and families nationwide have been devastated as a result of the opioid epidemic,” Garcia said. “Congress must step up to the plate and take action against the deadly opioid epidemic and the scourge of fentanyl. It is urgent that Nancy Pelosi schedule a vote to extend and reauthorize DEA’s authority to seize these deadly substances.”

The United States lost over 70,000 people to drug overdose deaths in 2019 alone, while western states have seen the largest increase in synthetic opioid deaths between 2018 to 2019, according to officials. 

“I am proud to cosponsor the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act, which would take the Congressional action necessary to provide DEA the authority they need to work to combat this growing epidemic,” Garcia said. 

Synthetic opioid deaths have spiked in nearly every state, including ten western states who have reported increases of more than 98 percent. The growing epidemic is suspected to correspond with fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances coming across the southern border and from China, according to officials.

“It is imperative that Congress works both to combat the opioid epidemic and secure our borders. Our lack of sufficient border security is only fueling the deadly opioid epidemic and causing many other issues as well,” Garcia said. “Lives hang on the line and inaction is inexcusable. Congress must pass SOFA before it is too late.”

To read the full bill, click here. 

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