The fentanyl crisis is devastating families across the country, but instead of addressing the root causes of addiction and overdose deaths, the U.S. government continues to double down on failed policies of criminalization. The HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 27), recently passed by the House of Representatives, is the latest example of misguided legislation that will only worsen the crisis.
At Save Our Families, we believe in solutions prioritizing treatment, harm reduction, and public health over punitive measures. The Drug Policy Alliance and other advocacy organizations have raised serious concerns about the HALT Act, highlighting its potential to increase incarceration, discourage life-saving interventions, and push the drug supply into even more dangerous territory. Here’s why this bill is a step in the wrong direction.
Criminalization Won’t Solve the Fentanyl Crisis
The HALT Fentanyl Act permanently schedules all fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, even those that haven’t been studied for medical use. This broad classification could block research into potential overdose reversal medications and alternative treatments. Worse, the bill enforces mandatory minimum sentences that disproportionately impact low-level drug users rather than major traffickers.
We’ve seen this approach before during the “War on Drugs,” and the results were catastrophic: mass incarceration, racial disparities in sentencing, and no meaningful reduction in drug use or trafficking. As Jesseyln McCurdy of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights warns, “Harsh federal drug laws and mandatory minimums have caused the federal prison population to explode.”
Public Health Solutions Work—Punishment Does Not
Rather than criminalizing addiction, we should be expanding access to medication-assisted treatment, overdose prevention services, and evidence-based recovery programs. Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.), executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, makes a powerful point: “Increasing penalties for fentanyl won’t deter behavior. If anything, it will only make people even less likely to call 911 in the event of an overdose.” This means more preventable deaths—not fewer. Instead of punitive policies, experts recommend investing in harm reduction strategies such as supervised consumption sites, expanded access to naloxone (Narcan), and fentanyl test strips. Unlike mandatory minimums and harsher sentencing laws, these approaches have been proven to save lives.
The HALT Act Could Make the Crisis Even Worse
History shows that when the government cracks down on specific drugs, the market adapts—often with deadly consequences. Ju Nyeong Park, a public health researcher, warns that “crackdowns on a high-demand substance create a market incentive to design more potent substances.” This means that instead of curbing fentanyl use, the HALT Act could lead to the creation of even stronger and more dangerous synthetic opioids.
We’ve already seen this pattern play out. When fentanyl-related substances were first criminalized under the Trump administration, overdose deaths soared—rising 60% from 67,367 in 2018 to 107,941 in 2022. Criminalization doesn’t stop drug use; it just makes it more dangerous.
The Senate Must Reject the HALT Fentanyl Act
There’s still time to stop this harmful legislation. We urge the Senate to reject the HALT Act and instead focus on measures that:
» Expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder
» Promote harm reduction strategies such as safe consumption sites and fentanyl test strips
» Invest in research on fentanyl-related substances for potential medical use
» Address the social and economic factors that contribute to addiction
At Save Our Families, we stand with public health experts, harm reduction advocates, and families affected by the overdose crisis. It’s time to move beyond failed punitive policies and embrace real solutions that save lives.
Want to take action? Contact your Senator today and urge them to oppose the HALT Fentanyl Act. Together, we can fight for a future where treatment and compassion—not incarceration—are the cornerstones of our approach to addiction.
Written by : Save Our Families
