A Resolution in Support of Fentanyl's Permanent Schedule 1 Status
Adopted at the 90th Annual Meeting in 2022
WHEREAS, mayors have experienced a rise in fentanyl and other synthetic opioid overdoses in their cities that directly affect the safety of children, families, recovering addicts, emergency providers along with the detriment to the user's health; and
WHEREAS, fentanyl has contributed to a rise in addictions which without the correct mental health services, can force people into a deadly cycle of using and distributing drugs; and
WHEREAS, the nation's opioid crisis and behavioral health crisis go hand in hand as an increase in drug use causes mental harm and addiction is a disease that affects the lives of not only those who use but their families, friends, and all those who care for them; and
WHEREAS, addiction tends to lead to an increase in homelessness, violent and other crimes and a reduction in the overall welfare of the individual and their community and it must be acknowledged that this addiction can be substantially influenced by factors outside of the individual's control, such as the medical care they have or have not received, genetics, and the environment in which they grew up; and
WHEREAS, more than 53,000 individuals between the ages of 18-49 have died due to overdose, making it the leading cause of death for that age group and cut short the lives of those who contributed to our society as citizens, community members, and adored members of families; and
WHEREAS, the distribution of opioids needs to be addressed not only through the illegal attainment of fentanyl but also through the education of health care providers regarding the prescription of these opioids to fight pain that is then easily misused and abused in cities across the United States,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges congress to permanently classify fentanyl analogs under Schedule I due to its high potential for abuse and pass legislation such as the HALT Fentanyl Act to give federal law enforcement and local police the resources they need to address the opioid crisis and reduce barriers to allow for more research to be done on fentanyl related substances; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to reduce barriers and increase treatment options for individuals experiencing addiction.