Summary

In response to the soaring increase in fentanyl deaths in King County and nationwide, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn submitted a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration regarding fentanyl’s classification as a schedule 1 drug, which is due to expire on May 6, 2022.

Story

In response to the soaring increase in fentanyl deaths in King County and nationwide, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn submitted a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration regarding fentanyl’s classification as a schedule 1 drug, which is due to expire on May 6, 2022.

Fentanyl’s schedule 1 classification reflects its high potential to be abused and limited medical use. Though Congress is considering a temporary fix to prevent its classification from lapsing, Dunn argues that a permanent classification is needed to ensure that local law enforcement — including the King County Sheriff’s Office — has the maximum resources to fight the spread of fentanyl.

“I urge the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to permanently classify fentanyl as a schedule 1 drug,” Dunn wrote in the letter. “By doing so, the DEA will ensure that local law enforcement has the maximum resources to fight the spread of fentanyl across our borders and into our local communities, including King County.”

In his letter, Dunn cites data from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office that shows that the number of people who died from fentanyl last year more than tripled from just two years prior. Last year saw a 123% increase in fentanyl-related deaths compared to 2020 and a 247% increase from 2019. Over half of all overdose deaths in King County in 2021 were caused by fentanyl, which has become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. He also references his past experience as a federal prosecutor, where he focused on crimes related to narcotics trafficking.

Dunn’s letter is attached here.