USDOT Add Fentanyl to DOT Drug Testing Panels
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing to amend the federal drug testing program to add fentanyl to its drug testing panels.
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain. Most cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the U.S. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die in the U.S. every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Given this information, the USDOT is adding fentanyl to the testing Requirements.
As part of the federal rule making process, The Notice of Proposed Rule Making has been posted in the Federal Register (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-02/pdf/2025-16720.pdf).
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain. Most cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the U.S. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die in the U.S. every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Given this information, the USDOT is adding fentanyl to the testing Requirements.
As part of the federal rule making process, The Notice of Proposed Rule Making has been posted in the Federal Register (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-02/pdf/2025-16720.pdf).