Adding More Strict Regulations for Doctors Prescribing the Highly Addictive and Dangerous Drug, Fentanyl.

 

The purpose of this bill is to enforce more laws and regulations on Fentanyl so we can reduce the deaths of people who

overdose on Fentanyl.

 

Fentanyl is banned in Minnesota for illicit use, sale, or possession, and is classified as a controlled substance under

state and federal law. Minnesota law classifies fentanyl as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high

potential for abuse but does have accepted medical uses when prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Minnesota's fentanyl

overdose death rate increased from 5.7 deaths to 17.3 deaths per 100,000 people between 2019 and 2022 as well. The

crisis disproportionately affects communities of color. And from 2019 to 2023, Native American Minnesotans were at least

15 times more likely to die from opioid overdoses than white Minnesotans, and Black Minnesotans were more than three

times as likely.

 

Opioid- A class of drugs that is used to reduce moderate to severe pain

Illicitly- In a way that is not legally permitted or authorized

Schedule II controlled- drugs with high potential for abuse.

Federal law- Rules created by the national government

Pracitioner- a person actively engaged in an art, discipline, or profession, especially medicine

 

Each Hospital is responsible for prescribing this opioid drug to the patients, like they always do. Prior to prescribing

the pain-relieving drug Fentanyl to any patient, each hospital will need to run a background check with the police

department and medical records to see if their patients have any record of drug abuse.

 

Each hospital shall keep and give a record of which Fentanyl they give their patients and send it to the police

department so that the hospital and police have a record that this patient was taking this medication for health and not

abusing this drug. If the doctors, hospitals, and clinics follow these procedures, they cannot get sued for harm due to

Fentanyl.

 

August14 2026