“Designer Xanax” Crisis: 21 States Demand Emergency Federal Action on Bromazolam

A mounting public health alarm has led 21 state attorneys general to formally request emergency federal scheduling of bromazolam, a powerful synthetic benzodiazepine dubbed “designer Xanax.” This move comes in response to a dramatic escalation in overdose deaths linked to the drug, which has been circulating illicitly and without medical oversight, posing serious risks to public safety.

Rising Toll of Overdoses

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who co-authored the letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), noted a troubling pattern: bromazolam-related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania surged from 59 in 2022 to nearly three times that number a year later, according to health department data and reported in States Newsroom affiliate coverage Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

The drug’s potency, unpredictability, and lack of any medical regulation make it especially dangerous, particularly when combined with opioids or other depressants. Alarmingly, the widely used opioid reversal agent Narcan (naloxone) is ineffective against overdoses caused by bromazolam Attorney GeneralPennsylvania Capital-Star.

States Rally for Federal Scheduling

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear moved swiftly, issuing an emergency order on August 18 to classify bromazolam as a Schedule I controlled substance—criminalizing its sale and possession immediately within the state AP News.

Meanwhile, the multi-state coalition, led by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, formally appealed to DEA Administrator Terry Cole to enact emergency federal scheduling. This, the letter argues, would equip law enforcement with essential tools to prosecute traffickers, halt distribution, and send a clear signal that this lethal drug has no place in American communities AP NewsAttorney General.

The 21 participating states span across the country, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and more AP NewsVirginia Office of the Attorney General.

Public Health & Legal Stakes

Bromazolam’s surge highlights larger concerns about synthetic designer drugs:

• No quality control: Illicit versions are being misrepresented as prescription pills, amplifying overdose risk AP NewsNKyTribune.

• Law enforcement barriers: Without federal scheduling, prosecutors lack consistent legal grounds to charge offenders across state lines.

• Health response gaps: Emergency departments may lack effective treatments, as standard reversal methods don’t apply.

What’s Next: Federal Authority and Enforcement

If the DEA declares bromazolam a Schedule I substance, it would:

• Immediately criminalize its manufacture, sale, and possession nationwide.

• Allow federal resources and data-sharing to bolster enforcement.

• Provide clarity to prosecutors and public health officials seeking to stem its spread.

Several states, including Virginia, have already enacted their own scheduling, underscoring the urgency of broad federal action Virginia Office of the Attorney GeneralAP News.

Conclusion

The growing number of bromazolam-related deaths and its deceptive presentation as Xanax on the street demand a robust response. With 21 states calling for emergency federal scheduling, the pressure is now on the DEA to intervene decisively. As synthetic benzodiazepines continue to emerge, law enforcement and public health officials warn that without timely federal leadership, this silent crisis may claim even more lives.