Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, issued the following statement on reports that China will treat all types of fentanyl as controlled substances:

            “Fentanyl was responsible for more than 28,000 overdose deaths in 2017. Just this one type of opioid and its variants are responsible for the epidemic levels of overdose deaths we’re seeing all across the country today.

            “That’s why China’s decision to make all fentanyl and fentanyl analogues illegal is so important. Treating this deadly opioid as a controlled substance is a big step in the right direction and vital to decreasing U.S. fentanyl overdose deaths.

            “Our approach to the opioid crisis must include substance use prevention and addiction treatment, but stopping the flow of cheap, potent fentanyl into our communities is also essential.”

 ###