Frankfort, KY — In response to a growing public health crisis, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear took emergency action on Monday to ban the sale of bromazolam, commonly known as “designer Xanax,” a highly potent synthetic drug linked to an alarming rise in overdose deaths across the state. The move came after a request from Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, who is spearheading efforts to combat the dangerous substance.
Action Taken Amid Growing Overdose Deaths
Beshear’s emergency regulation classifies bromazolam as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, meaning the drug is now officially banned for sale or possession in the state. The emergency action follows a broader effort led by a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, including Coleman, who are urging the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to take national action to ban the substance.
“Law enforcement desperately needs the tools to drive this dangerous drug from our neighborhoods,” said Attorney General Russell Coleman in a news release.
This emergency classification allows law enforcement to make arrests for selling or possessing bromazolam, offering a new tool in the fight against a drug that has been linked to dozens of overdose deaths in Kentucky alone. Bromazolam has been increasingly sold on the streets and online, disguised as legitimate prescription medications, including benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
“This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives,” said Governor Beshear. “It is now illegal to sell or possess bromazolam in Kentucky, and those responsible for trafficking or possessing it will be held accountable.”
Designer Xanax Linked to Fatal Overdoses
The action follows a disturbing trend of overdose deaths connected to bromazolam, a drug that is both highly potent and unpredictable. In 2023, nearly 50 overdose deaths in Kentucky were linked to the drug, underscoring its growing role in the state’s opioid and drug crisis.
“We live in a moment when as little as one pill can kill – and is killing – our kids,” Coleman said. “I’m glad we could work together to tackle this grave threat.”
National Concern and Federal Efforts to Address the Drug
The drug remains unscheduled at the federal level, creating a significant hurdle for law enforcement nationwide. In a letter addressed to DEA Administrator Terry Cole, 21 state attorneys general urged the federal agency to take emergency action to schedule bromazolam as a controlled substance. According to the attorneys general, bromazolam is particularly dangerous because it lacks the quality controls found in legally regulated medications, making it especially lethal when mixed with opioids or other depressants.
“Despite its clear dangers, bromazolam remains unscheduled at the federal level, creating significant challenges for law enforcement and public health officials trying to respond to this emerging crisis,” the letter to the DEA read.
“Without scheduling, this drug continues to evade traditional regulatory and prosecutorial tools, hindering interdiction efforts and enabling continued distribution through illicit channels.”
The attorneys general have also pointed out that the illicit nature of the drug exposes users to unpredictable risks—and without action from the DEA, the drug continues to circulate through illegal channels.
Source: AP News
A Bipartisan Effort to Protect Public Health
Governor Beshear and Attorney General Coleman’s action comes in the wake of a tragic fatal grenade explosion in East L.A., linked to a similar public health issue with unregulated substances. Despite their political differences, both state officials emphasized the importance of collaboration in safeguarding public health.
In the letter to the DEA, the coalition of attorneys general called for swift action to ban bromazolam nationwide, urging the agency to take immediate steps to limit the drug’s availability and protect public safety.
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