Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has expressed support for the HALT Fentanyl Act, emphasizing its role in targeting drug traffickers and protecting communities from the dangers of fentanyl abuse. "The statement was made on X," he noted.

"Thank you, President Trump, for signing the HALT Fentanyl Act into law today," said Mike Dewine, Governor of Ohio. "For far too long, fentanyl has ravaged communities and destroyed lives in Ohio and across the country. This new law comes down hard on those who push this poison in our neighborhoods, and it will undoubtedly save lives."

The HALT Fentanyl Act, passed by Congress in 2023, classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs permanently and enhances law enforcement's ability to prosecute traffickers. According to The Wall Street Journal, supporters believe this will disrupt fentanyl trafficking and help reduce overdose deaths. However, critics caution that it may lead to harsher sentencing without addressing addiction treatment, thus raising public health concerns.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 70,000 in 2023, a significant increase from 30,000 in 2018. Ohio alone reported over 4,000 fentanyl-involved deaths in 2022, underscoring the epidemic's impact both nationally and within the state.

A report by the U.S. Sentencing Commission indicates that arrests and prosecutions for fentanyl trafficking nearly tripled nationwide between 2018 and 2023 following federal scheduling changes. Further increases are anticipated with the passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts.

DeWine is recognized for his leadership on drug policy issues as Ohio’s Governor and a former U.S. Senator and Attorney General. He has supported stricter penalties for traffickers while advocating for public health responses to address the opioid crisis.