REP. KIM MOSER’S BILL MOVES FENTANYL TO SCHEDULE 1, INCREASES PENALTIES
Adds 3 day limit for Schedule I and II drugs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (February 28, 2017) – Today, the House passed an aggressive measure to tackle Kentucky’s drug epidemic. House Bill 333, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, will reschedule the drug class for carfentanil and fentanyl derivatives from a Schedule II controlled substance to a Schedule I, increasing penalties in Kentucky.
“Kentucky is the epicenter of our nation’s drug crisis, and we must be leaders on this issue,” said Rep. Moser, whose career has been focused on drug control and treatment in the Commonwealth. “House Bill 333 will not only increase penalties for these deadly substances, but send a clear message that we will not tolerate these drugs in our communities. I commend the House for passing this bill in a swift and bipartisan manner.”
In an effort to prevent patients from succumbing to pain pill addiction, House Bill 333 also limits the amount of scheduled II controlled substances prescribed in Kentucky to a 3-day limit. The measure does not hinder patients in cases that are deemed medically necessary for a prescription lasting longer than three days, but simply requires the medical professional to document that need.
“We are constantly seeing addiction begin in our medicine cabinets, and it is imperative that we break the mindset of opioids being the sole solution to pain,” added Rep. Moser. “This legislation will help prevent the excessive prescribing of pain pills, promote alternative treatments, and work toward decreasing addiction that, far too often, begins with a medical need.”
The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
