WASHINGTON — Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., has introduced a House Resolution regarding trafficking of illicit fentanyl.
The text of the resolution is not yet available, but McKinley said in a press release it calls for “more international cooperation” to prevent smuggling and selling.
There is a House Resolution listed on the U.S. Congress website titled, “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the trafficking of illicit fentanyl into the United States from Mexico and China.”
McKinley is a sponsor of the legislation. It has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“Too many people in West Virginia and around the country are falling victim to the dangers of drugs, robbing them of their God-given potential,” McKinley said. “Substance abuse and opioid addiction have now become a national crisis. We must stay on offense in our fight against this epidemic.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is a Schedule II substance with a high potential for abuse.
Other Schedule II substances include cocaine, methamphetamine and OxyContin.
On March 29, President Donald Trump announced the formation of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is leading the group, which is aimed at studying drug addiction and identifying the best methods to prevent drug abuse.
McKinley was at the White House for the announcement.