Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that's being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
Beshear's action in his state comes as a coalition of 21 attorneys general, led by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, is urging the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the unregulated drug. It poses a growing public health threat and is increasingly contributing to overdose deaths, the attorneys general said in a letter dated Monday to DEA Administrator Terry Cole.
'Law enforcement desperately needs the tools to drive this dangerous drug from our neighborhoods,' Coleman, a Republican, said in a news release.
In Kentucky, the classification of bromazolam — widely known as 'designer Xanax' — as a Schedule 1 controlled substance took immediate effect following Beshear's emergency regulation. Bromazolam, Coleman has warned, is being passed off as prescription pills including benzodiazepines, which are commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures.
He had urged Beshear's administration to ban the drug in Kentucky, and the governor's action on Monday empowers law enforcement to make arrests for selling or possessing the drug, Beshear's office said.
'This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives,' the Democratic governor said in a release.
Beshear, a former Kentucky attorney general now in his second term as governor, is widely seen as a potential candidate for president in 2028.
The drug he and Coleman targeted has been tied to a growing number of fatal overdoses in Kentucky and across the nation, Beshear's office said. It was detected in nearly 50 overdose deaths in Kentucky last year, the office said.
'We live in a moment when as little as one pill can kill – and is killing – our kids,' Coleman said in response to Beshear's action. "I'm glad we could work together to tackle this grave threat.'
In their letter to the head of DEA, the attorneys general said bromazolam is being sold illicitly on the streets and online. It is highly potent and unpredictable, they said, especially when combined with opioids or other central nervous system depressants. Unlike regulated medications, illicitly manufactured bromazolam lacks quality controls, making it particularly lethal for unsuspecting users, they said.
'Despite its clear dangers, bromazolam remains unscheduled at the federal level, creating significant challenges for law enforcement and public health officials trying to respond to this emerging crisis,' the letter said. 'Without scheduling, this drug continues to evade traditional regulatory and prosecutorial tools, hindering interdiction efforts and enabling continued distribution through illicit channels.'
Emergency action by the DEA would help law enforcement remove the drug from circulation, give prosecutors the ability to hold traffickers accountable and would 'send a clear signal that this dangerous substance has no place on our streets,' the letter said.
Besides Coleman, the request to the DEA included attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, Coleman's office said.
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
21 state AG's ask feds to ban 'designer Xanax' after Kentucky ban
1 of 2 | "This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives," two-term Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear (pictured at the August 2024 DNC in Chicago, Ill.) said Monday. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Kentucky designated "bromazolam" as a Schedule 1 controlled substance as Gov. Andy Beshear also led a push to have it designated similarly at the federal level. Beshear announced the effort to ban the drug, also known as "designer Xanax" Monday after bromazolam was detected in at least 48 overdose deaths in Kentucky last year. "This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives," the two-term Democratic governor said in a statement. The governor's signature immediately banned the drug from being sold in Kentucky and empowered law enforcement to act and arrest for sales or possession. It also provides further tools for authorities in Beshear's statewide crackdown. A 2021 report suggested that overdose deaths linked to illicit "designer" drugs had surged in the United States a staggering 520% between 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from 32 states and the District of Columbia. On Monday, the rumored Democratic presidential candidate pointed to "important progress" in Kentucky's fight against addiction with three straight years of declines in overdose deaths. "And we're committed to ensuring that work continues," Beshear added. Beshear's executive action this week reportedly came following a request by the state's Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman. "We live in a moment when as little as one pill can kill -- and is killing -- our kids," Coleman said Monday in a joint statement with Beshear. "I'm glad we could work together to tackle this grave threat," he added on the bipartisan effort to rid the streets of the "designer" bromazolam. In 1985 the federal government enacted its ban on the so-called "designer drug" Ecstasy entirely due to the fact it was created by chemists and Ecstasy spin-offs were starting to hit the streets. Coleman and 20 other GOP state attorneys general are now calling on the federal government to follow state actions. "Despite its clear dangers, bromazolam remains unscheduled at the federal level, creating significant challenges for law enforcement and public health officials trying to respond to this emerging crisis," read a letter in part to DEA Administrator Terry Cole signed by Coleman and Alabama's Attorney General Steve Marshall, Tim Griffin in Arkansas, Florida's James Uthmeier, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Indiana's Attorney General Todd Rokita and Brenna Bird from Iowa, Liz Murrill of Louisiana, Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Montana's Austin Knudsen, Mike Hilgers of Nebraska, Drew Wrigley of North Dakota, Dave Yost of Ohio, Oklahoma's Gentner Drummond, Pennsylvania's new Attorney General Dave Sunday, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, Marty Jackley of South Dakota, Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee, Virgina's Jason Miyares, John 'JB' McCuskey of West Virginia and Ken Paxton of Texas. Coleman's letter pointed to how the originally synthesized but never approved for medical use bromazolam is now being illegally sold on the streets and in online platforms. The band of Republican state chief law enforcement officers argues that without its scheduling on a federal level, bromazolam will continue to "evade traditional regulatory and prosecutorial tools," which they added will hinder interdiction efforts and enable "continued distribution through illicit channels." "Virginia took proactive action by scheduling bromazolam," Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares said Monday. "Now, I'm encouraging federal action to ensure every state has the same tools to protect Americans," the Republican AG and first Latino elected to statewide office in Virginia posted on social media.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Texas declares measles outbreak over, health officials say
The Texas measles outbreak that sickened 762 people since late January is over, state health officials said Monday. It's been more than 42 days since the last new case was confirmed, meeting the threshold public health officials use to declare measles outbreaks over. The last person to have an outbreak-related case got a rash on July 1, according to state data. Two unvaccinated Texas children died of the virus earlier this year, and 100 people were hospitalized throughout the outbreak, which spread to 37 counties. The outbreak was linked to outbreaks in Canada and Mexico, and other U.S. states. 4 The Texas measles outbreak that sickened 762 people since late January is over, state health officials said Monday. AP The U.S. is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades, as childhood vaccination rates against the virus decline and more parents claim exemptions from school requirements. The U.S. has confirmed 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The nation's third measles death was an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico who died in March. West Texas was the nation's measles epicenter for months. The virus started spreading there in close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite communities in Gaines County. Even with that outbreak over, Texas will likely see more cases as the virus spreads worldwide, officials said. 4 The U.S. has confirmed 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. AP At least 19 U.S. states have had measles outbreaks this year. Across the border in Chihuahua, Mexico, an outbreak that started with a child who visited Gaines County has ballooned to 3,854 cases and 13 deaths. Another in Ontario, Canada, started in October, sickening 2,362 so far and killing one. And 1,762 have been sickened in Alberta, Canada. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Before the outbreak, most Texas doctors had never seen a measles case because of how uncommon it has become, said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford. 4 The U.S. is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades, as childhood vaccination rates against the virus decline AFP via Getty Images 4 Even with that outbreak over, Texas will likely see more cases as the virus spreads worldwide, officials said. AP She credited testing, vaccination, monitoring, and education with helping to end the outbreak. 'I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses,' Shuford said in a statement. Measles causes a rash and respiratory symptoms that can lead to severe complications or death. It is prevented by the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which is required for most young kids before they start school.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mom Thought She Just Had Dry Skin. Months Later, She Had Hole 'The Size of a Quarter' in Her Nose After Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Amanda Anderson, 43, received the diagnosis in June after first noticing a "small irritated spot" on her nose in January NEED TO KNOW Amanda Anderson, a mother of four, discovered a small spot on her nose that she thought was dry skin But after several appointments, doctors determined it was actually basal cell carcinoma She underwent surgery to remove the spot and documented her journey online A mother of four thought she just had a bit of dry skin on her nose, months before receiving a shocking diagnosis. Amanda Anderson, 43, from Layton, Utah, first noticed she had a small spot on the side of her nose in January of this year; however, she wasn't initially concerned, as she said her skin often gets dry during the winter months, per SWNS. Anderson ended up getting the spot checked out just to be on the safe side and was given a cream. When the spot came back and started to bleed and scab, Anderson booked another appointment with the doctor, only to be told she didn't have anything to worry about. After having a gut feeling that something was wrong, Anderson went to another medic, who then booked her in for a biopsy in June, before the results came back as basal cell carcinoma on June 23. She was scheduled for surgery three days later to remove the spot. Per the Mayo Clinic, "Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off." "Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. Basal cell carcinoma occurs most often on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck," the site adds. Anderson has documented her skin cancer journey on TikTok, writing in the caption of one of her videos, "WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!!" "I had a small irritated spot on my nose for 6 months. I finally went into the dermatologist. It wasn't a huge shock to find out it was Basal Cell Carcinoma," she added. "Getting it removed was a HUGE shock. I had no idea what I was getting into!" Anderson wrote, sharing in the clip that she'd had Mohs surgery, and that medics ended up having to do three passes. She wrote over the video per the AP, "It was sooo much bigger than I was expecting," confirming she had 50 plus stitches. The clip featured multiple images showing Anderson's cancer journey, including her having a hole cut from her nose to remove all the cancer cells. The Mayo Clinic describes Mohs surgery as "a procedure used to treat skin cancer," adding, "This surgery involves cutting away thin layers of skin. Each thin layer is looked at closely for signs of cancer. The process keeps going until there are no signs of cancer." "The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove all of the skin cancer without hurting the healthy skin around it. Mohs surgery allows the surgeon to be sure that all the cancer is gone. This makes it more likely that the cancer is cured. It reduces the need for other treatments or more surgery," the site states. Anderson recalled of her initial symptoms, "It was just a little dry spot on the side of my nose," adding, "With it being the winter it's common to have dry patches. I wasn't super concerned at the beginning," per SWNS. Anderson — whose father, Kirk Romney, 66, has also had skin cancer, and has had over 17 Mohs surgeries to remove cancerous cells from his face, neck and shoulders — insisted, "When I noticed the spot at first I wasn't too concerned." "It's typical to get dry patches because of the weather here in Utah," she added. Anderson said of receiving the skin cancer diagnosis, "It's hard to hear. It's on my face and as a woman we do everything we can to make sure our faces look as good as possible." "I'm obsessed about sun cream and shade - I have been my whole life," she added. "So it was a bit of a gut punch." Anderson added of doctors removing part of her nose to get the cancer out, "It was about the size of a quarter. They cut above and below the hole and fold the skin over." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Anderson, who continues to keep her followers updated regarding her skin cancer journey on TikTok, confirmed she won't need further treatment, but will have to have check-ups every six months. She said of now wanting to warn others, "The damage is done when you're young. I encourage my daughters to put sun cream on underneath their makeup." "I'm trying to build healthy habits in my kids," Anderson added. "People don't realize you can get sunburnt through the window of a car. We have to take care of our skin like you would your teeth. Skin cancer is so preventable." PEOPLE has reached out to Anderson for an update on her recovery. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
