The HALT Fentanyl Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 171, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address the growing crisis of fentanyl-related deaths in the United States. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than other opioids like heroin or morphine, making it extremely dangerous and easy to overdose on.
The HALT Fentanyl Act aims to combat the spread of fentanyl by increasing penalties for the production, distribution, and trafficking of the drug. It also seeks to improve coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in order to better track and intercept fentanyl shipments coming into the country. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for increasing funding for drug treatment and prevention programs, as well as expanding access to naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Overall, the HALT Fentanyl Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address the fentanyl crisis from multiple angles. By increasing penalties for those involved in the production and distribution of fentanyl, improving coordination between law enforcement agencies, and increasing funding for treatment and prevention programs, this bill aims to reduce the number of fentanyl-related deaths in the United States.