Urgent action called for to prohibit the use of 'designer Xanax,' a non-regulated artificial drug, following its connection to 47 deaths within the state
In a letter dated Aug. 5, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman urged health officials to take immediate action to ban the synthetic drug bromazolam. The drug, also known as "designer Xanax," has been linked to 47 overdose deaths in the Commonwealth in 2024.
Bromazolam, a drug used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures, is being sold illicitly on the streets and online. The immediate scheduling of bromazolam through emergency action could have a lifesaving impact on Kentuckians across the state.
The threats posed by these drugs are clear, and the goal is to keep them off the streets to save lives. Coleman stated that "as little as one pill can - and is - killing our children."
The Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, confiscated a package containing 958 bromazolam pills. Bromazolam lacks any quality controls, making it particularly lethal for unsuspecting users.
The drug is being passed off as prescription pills, including benzodiazepines. This deception adds to the danger, as users may not be aware of the potency and unpredictability of bromazolam, especially when combined with opioids or other central nervous system depressants.
Despite the reported deaths in Kentucky, the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy has so far taken no steps to restrict the synthetic drug. Coleman is urging parents and public officials to work together to stop illicit drugs and counterfeit pills.
In addition to his efforts at the state level, Attorney General Coleman is working to get bromazolam scheduled at the federal level. The drug is already scheduled in Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Coleman's efforts aim to empower law enforcement to crack down on bromazolam traffickers and distributors. By scheduling the drug, law enforcement would be able to take more effective action against it in Kentucky.
The attorney general's call to action underscores the urgent need to address the growing problem of synthetic drugs in the state. By working together, Kentuckians can help keep their communities safe from the dangers of drugs like bromazolam.
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