Attorney General calls on Governor to help get designer Xanax off the streets

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is calling on Governor Andy Beshear and the state’s health officials to immediately schedule bromazolam, otherwise known as designer Xanax.

The Attorney General wants the Governor to use his emergency authority to get the drug scheduled. Coleman sent a letter to Health Secretary Dr. Steven Stack, as well, also imploring the Cabinet to schedule the drug, which would give law enforcement the ability to charge traffickers in the synthetic substance. The letter indicated that the drug is manufactured without the quality controls of prescription medications, meaning that the outcomes for individuals taking it could be deadly.

Coleman and Kentucky Congressman James Comer joined law enforcement officials from around the state at a meeting to discuss ways Frankfort and Washington could work to support their efforts in the battle against drugs, among other topics. In attendance was the head of the Northern Kentucky Drug Task Force. That group has been seeing an influx of bromazolam and even had some to show that had been seized just this week.  

Coleman said that Kentucky is falling behind in this battle to stop bromazolam. He noted that several states have already scheduled the drug, including neighbors Virginia and West Virginia.