DEA to clamp down on fetanyl production

DEA plans to make N-phenethyl-4-piperidone (NPP) a List I chemical in an effort to control the illicit manufacture of fentanyl, a schedule II controlled substance. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, is 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Heroin and cocaine are often laced with fentanyl. More than 200 deaths in Detroit during 2005 and 2006 were attributed to fentanyl. The proposed DEA rule would subject all handlers of NPP in any quantity to the chemical regulatory provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. Any chemical mixtures containing NPP would also be subject to the regulation. DEA will accept comments on the proposed rule until June 22.

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