Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids first synthesized in the 1950s that exhibit extreme potency at the mu-opioid receptor, with some analogs exceeding the potency of fentanyl. (2) The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has temporarily or permanently scheduled multiple nitazene compounds under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act due to their high abuse potential and lack of accepted medical use. (3) Nitazenes and nitazene analogues have emerged in the illicit drug supply as designer drugs and contribute to overdose and fatal poisonings in the United States. (4) A class-wide permanent scheduling of nitazenes is necessary to preemptively address the proliferation of new analogs, streamline enforcement, and protect public health.