President Donald Trump has signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, a move aimed at reducing the deadly impact of fentanyl in the United States. The law, officially titled the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, comes as the nation continues to grapple with an opioid epidemic that has taken 450,000 lives over the past decade.
What the Law Does
The HALT Fentanyl Act places fentanyl and all related substances—including synthetic versions—under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This classification is reserved for the most dangerous drugs, with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
The law includes mandatory 10-year minimum sentences for anyone caught trafficking fentanyl or similar substances. It also gives law enforcement stronger tools to combat synthetic variants of the drug, which have been used to evade regulations.
A Public Health Emergency
Fentanyl is incredibly potent—just two milligrams can be fatal. It has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the U.S., with fatalities more than tripling from 2016 to 2021, according to the CDC. Though overdose deaths have slightly declined recently, experts warn that the overall numbers are still dangerously high.
In Texas, a recent law enforcement operation seized 622 million lethal doses, enough to kill every person in North America. Much of the U.S. fentanyl supply is traced back to chemicals from China processed by Mexican drug cartels.
Research Loopholes Addressed
In addition to law enforcement measures, the HALT Fentanyl Act includes provisions to support scientific research. Researchers often struggle to get approval to study Schedule I substances. The law aims to streamline that process, allowing scientists to better understand the drug and develop strategies to combat addiction and overdose.
A Step, Not a Solution
Advocates say the HALT Fentanyl Act is a critical step, but not a complete fix. “This is just one part of a national strategy,” said Kevin Roy, Chief Public Policy Officer at the nonprofit Shatterproof, which focuses on addiction. “Law enforcement needs clear rules, but we also need prevention, treatment, and education.”
