Grassley Statement on China’s Announcement to Crack Down on Deadly Fentanyl
WASHINGTON – Senator
Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Caucus on
International Narcotics Control, made the following statement regarding China’s
announced
plans to tighten controls on the production and export of Fentanyl, which
has been linked to thousands of overdose deaths in the ongoing opioid epidemic.
“Fentanyl-laced
heroin has fueled the deadly opioid epidemic and has been linked to the
majority of opioid overdose deaths in recent years. China is the world’s
leading producer and exporter of this highly-potent drug and its chemical
analogues. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Caucus on International
Narcotics Control, I’ve worked to advance legislation to fight the opioid
epidemic, including efforts to stem the flow of deadly drugs into the United
States. I recently held a hearing to address this very issue. In October, we
heard from government officials and experts from around the country who emphasized
the need for China to legislate in this area. When China does so, the data
shows that supply in the marketplace dramatically decreases. President Trump
has also been a leader in combatting the epidemic. He and Chinese President Xi
made real progress over the weekend to crack down on the illicit fentanyl and
analogue market. This announcement is a welcomed development that could save an
untold number of lives in the United States. I am pleased that we were able to
draw attention to this issue through our hearing and other work.”
In
2017, 60 percent of U.S. opioid deaths involved fentanyl, which is an increase
from 14 percent in 2010. Fentanyl is currently involved in more deaths than
prescription opioids or heroin.
Grassley
recently chaired
a hearing on the flow of illegal fentanyl from China. He also introduced
legislation to aide law enforcement in targeting manufacturers and
traffickers of synthetic drugs by closing legal loopholes that allow the sale
of substances substantially similar to restricted drugs. This legislation would
help stop the flow of synthetic analogues, including fentanyl analogues, into
our country. Earlier this year, the Senate
passed sweeping legislation to help combat the opioid epidemic. The SUPPORT
for Patients and Communities Act included seven bills that Grassley led
through the Judiciary Committee. Grassley also coauthored the Comprehensive
Addiction and Recovery Act, which became law in 2016, to assist in the
response to, treatment and rehabilitation of opioid addiction.
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