The measure would allow the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to permanently place all fentanyl analogs into the same legal category as heroin and cocaine. At the same time, the agreement would ease some of the strict rules governing research around fentanyl analogs, according to the text seen by Reuters. Researchers, including some in the federal government, have complained the proposed permanent restrictions on fentanyl analogs could hamper their ability to develop new antidotes to drug overdoses. The DEA in February 2018 temporarily classified all fentanyl analogs as Schedule 1 drugs, meaning they are highly addictive and have no medical use. Since the temporary order went into effect, Justice Department officials say it has helped deter chemists from creating as many new versions of fentanyl.

Source: National Post January 28, 2020 19:18 UTC