[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 190 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2224-E2225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SYNTHETIC DRUG CONTROL ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to clarify my position on H.R. 
1254, the Synthetic Drug Control Act.
  My vote in support of H.R. 1254 is not without reservations. I 
support this legislation because the health and safety of our citizens 
is my primary concern. This legislation will protect our communities, 
and particularly our youth, from more than forty new and dangerous 
synthetic drugs. These substances have been the cause of violent 
incidents and numerous deaths around the nation and it is preferable to 
immediately list them as Schedule I as opposed to allowing them to 
continue to be abused in our communities.
  Criminalizing these substances, however, will not solve the root 
problem of drug abuse in our communities. I have serious concerns about 
the over-criminalization of drugs. Mandatory minimum sentences lead to 
over-capacity criminal justice and prison systems at significant burden 
to taxpayers. I have long advocated for a comprehensive approach to 
drug abuse treatment, including education, prevention, treatment, 
research, and enforcement. In fact, I have authored legislation to 
expand accessible treatment, especially for underserved communities, 
and research into cutting edge treatment therapies. Responsible law 
enforcement is just the way to address this issue, and it must be 
executed in conjunction with a robust and multifaceted approach that 
targets the root of drug abuse problems.
  I also have concerns about the impact of penalties in H.R. 1254 on 
our scientific research processes. While, it is regrettable that H.R. 
1254 circumvents the process for listing drugs as laid out in the 
Controlled Substances Act (CSA), it is necessary in this circumstance. 
The evidentiary procedure in CSA has worked well for determining the 
listing of new substances. Unfortunately, it can be time-intensive and 
the law enforcement community, including the Drug Enforcement 
Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice, supports the 
immediate listing of these synthetic drugs because of the harm they 
inflict on our communities. This bill increases the length of time that 
a new substance can be temporarily scheduled by the DEA, thereby 
allowing more time for the usual CSA listing process to be carried out.
  Throughout my career I have supported scientific research. The study 
of synthetic drugs is important for understanding their impact on 
health and their potential beneficial uses. Unfortunately, most of the 
substances included in this legislation have not been subjected to 
extensive scientific study, and I am concerned that listing them as 
Schedule I drugs may inhibit the study of these drugs. While the DEA 
has a procedure for scientists to study Schedule I controlled 
substances, it presents greater barriers for scientists to work with 
these drugs. As of October 4, 2011, the DEA has 325 researchers 
conducting research with Schedule I controlled substances. These 
researchers include research centers and universities who seek to 
better understand the effects of

[[Page E2225]]

Schedule I controlled substances. Additionally, as of October 4, 2011, 
the DEA has 3,983 active registrants who manufacture, research, and 
conduct chemical analysis with Schedule I controlled substances. I 
encourage the scientific community to continue their efforts to 
understand these and other drugs.

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