A form of dangerous synthetic opioids that has worried Pennsylvania officials and contributed to at least a few dozen deaths in the state would be permanently considered a Schedule 1 substance under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick on Thursday.

The Pennsylvania Republican’s bipartisan effort would make permanent and expand a temporary classification imposed by the Drug Enforcement Administration on nitazenes, a potent opioid more powerful than fentanyl.

Advocates who work with people who use drugs in Pennsylvania, however, say nitazenes are not an urgent problem. Focusing on scheduling — which allows for stricter enforcement and penalties — does not keep the community safe, they say, and instead introduces opportunities for newer, stronger drugs to enter the supply to f

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