Hudson Cosponsors HALT Fentanyl Act, Discusses Big Tech and Fentanyl Crisis

Washington D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), an original cosponsor of the HALT Fentanyl Act, today participated in a roundtable that discussed Big Tech platforms’ devastating role in the worsening fentanyl crisis.

“The fentanyl crisis has only gotten worse due to the open border policies of the Biden administration. Yet we know big tech is playing an increasing role in fueling this tragic epidemic,” said Rep. Hudson. “Too many young people are dying from fentanyl poisoning and too many are accessing it through social media platforms. We have a responsibility to address this issue and save lives.”

At today’s roundtable hosted by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA), Rep. Hudson was joined by fellow Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans and panelists from across the country who work directly with families and communities impacted by the fentanyl poisoning crisis.

Recent research reveals nearly 20% of fentanyl deaths in the United States are linked to the use of Snapchat, a social media platform where messages are available for a short period of time or disappear once they are seen. Through Snapchat and other social media platforms, drug cartels have been able to connect with young Americans and enable interstate commerce of illegal drug products of counterfeit pills containing lethal amounts of fentanyl.

In efforts to curb the presence of fentanyl in the United States and reduce overdose deaths, yesterday Rep. Richard Hudson cosponsored the Halt All Lethal Tracking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act.  The HALT Fentanyl Act closely tracks recommendations to Congress submitted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy in September 2021. It would permanently place fentanyl and fentanyl related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, simplify registration processes for certain research with Schedule I substances, removing barriers that currently impede such work, and provide for exemption of individual FRS from Schedule I when evidence demonstrates it is appropriate.

“Passing the HALT Fentanyl Act to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances and keep them out of our communities is one of the Committee’s top priorities,” said Rep. Hudson. “I commend Reps. Griffith and Latta for their leadership on this effort.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses are the leading causes of preventable deaths of Americans ages 18 to 45. In 2021, fentanyl claimed the lives of more than 3,000 North Carolinians and accounted for 70,000 deaths nationwide in 2022.

To watch the full round table, visit: https://youtu.be/aGrZq3c2Spg

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