By: Eustoria Marie Borja

NGERULMUD — The Senate of Palau’s 11th Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) has passed Senate Bill No. 11-111, SD 4, the proposed national budget for FY 2025, which includes a rider that classifies fentanyl as a controlled substance, marking a proactive step by the island nation to address the global opioid crisis. The floor amendment, introduced by Sens. Mason Whipps, Dr. Steven Kuartei, and Rukebai Inabo, received unanimous support during its third reading.

The draft bill expands the list of controlled substances to include fentanyl and other opium derivatives.  Trafficking convictions for these controlled substances include fines of not less $50k and imprisonment of not less than 25 years.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has been linked to a significant number of overdose deaths worldwide. While no confirmed cases of fentanyl have been detected in Palau, authorities, including the Bureau of Public Safety’s Narcotic Enforcement Agency, have expressed concern about the drug’s potential to infiltrate the country. The potency of fentanyl, even in trace amounts, poses a severe risk, particularly when mixed with other substances such as cocaine or heroin.

The legislation aims to prevent fentanyl from entering Palau, restricting its importation to licensed medical professionals or pharmaceutical entities for legitimate medical use. The law also empowers authorities to arrest traffickers and seize fentanyl before it can spread within local communities, especially among young people.

Nearby Guam has reported a rise in fentanyl-related overdose deaths, mirroring the broader opioid crisis in the United States. Law enforcement officers anticipate that the drug will eventually make its way into Palau.