Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and a group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced three bills aimed at addressing the growing threat posed by nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids described as more potent and lethal than fentanyl. The proposed legislation seeks to give law enforcement more tools to combat the spread of these drugs, permanently classify them as Schedule I substances, and impose sanctions on Chinese entities involved in their production and trafficking.

One of the measures, known as the DETECT Nitazenes Act, is sponsored by Senator Schmitt. This bill would expand upon previous legislation—the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act—by including nitazenes in its scope. According to Schmitt’s office, this would provide law enforcement with additional resources, research capabilities, and technology needed to identify and remove nitazenes from circulation. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) are co-sponsoring the bill.

“Nitazenes are powerful synthetic opioids that are stronger than fentanyl, cheaper to produce, and devastatingly lethal. Their high potency and increased prevalence in Missouri will cost lives and devastate communities. In some instances, nitazenes can be up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than similar drugs like heroin. We must learn from the fentanyl crisis and act now before nitazenes spiral out of control. I’m proud to work with Senators McCormick, Ricketts, Gallego, and Slotkin to address this growing problem and keep communities in Missouri, and across America, safe,” said Senator Schmitt.

The legislative package also features two other bills: the Nitazene Control Act—which would ensure nitazenes remain classified under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act—and the Nitazene Sanction Act—which authorizes sanctions against Chinese organizations engaged in manufacturing or distributing these drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has highlighted nitazenes as an emerging concern in its 2025 National Drug Threat assessment. Earlier this year, Senator Schmitt co-sponsored the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act; that measure became law on July 16, 2025.