WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the Stop Importation and Manufacturing of Synthetic Analogues (SIMSA) Act. The legislation targets deadly drugs that are substantially similar to already-controlled substances but carefully engineered – often in China or Mexico – to slip into the U.S. undetected. Congressman Pfluger was joined by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Russell Fry (SC-07), and Don Davis (NC-01). The legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
“Drug traffickers are constantly exploiting loopholes in our laws by creating drugs that mimic the effects of controlled substances but are not yet classified as illegal to evade regulation. The SIMSA Act will give law enforcement the tools they need to stay ahead of these criminals and protect our communities from these emerging drug threats. By enhancing the DEA’s ability to respond to these new substances quickly, we are taking a critical step in combating the opioid crisis and other drug-related harms,” Pfluger said in a news release.
“The federal government needs to be more nimble when it comes to effectively responding to the surge of new synthetic drugs on our streets,” said Panetta. “By creating a new Schedule A, we can better target substances designed to evade existing bans and hold drug traffickers accountable. The federal government should take this step and provide this type of tool to help our local law enforcement continue to keep our communities safe.”
U.S. law prohibits the unauthorized use of certain controlled substances. However, illicit drug makers and importers circumvent those laws by altering single atoms in controlled substances to create tweaked drugs that are not yet outlawed, but have similar effects on users. Currently, uncontrolled substances must undergo a time-consuming analysis before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can permanently schedule them.
The SIMSA Act allows DEA to assign substances as Schedule A if (1) their chemical structure is substantially similar to a controlled substance and (2) they are expected to have the same or greater effect on the human body. The bill subjects individuals who manufacture, export and import these uncontrolled substances to the criminal penalties associated with Schedule A. It also includes provisions to ensure legitimate research on substances added to Schedule A can continue. SIMSA gives law enforcement the tools they need to keep up with drug cartels and emerging drug threats.
