For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2026
For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230
(Montgomery, Ala) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has acted on a request from a coalition of attorneys general urging the immediate ban of bromazolam, known as “Designer Xanax.”
Last week, the DEA formally classified bromazolam as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act—the same designation as heroin and LSD. The designation authorizes law enforcement across the country to crack down on bromazolam and increases awareness of the drug’s potentially deadly effects. Last year, Attorney General Marshall joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in urging the administration to take emergency action to classify the drug.
“The DEA’s decisive action arms law enforcement officers across the state with the critical tools and authority they need to stand firmly against the growing threat of dangerous and unpredictable substances like bromazolam,” Attorney General Marshall said. “As evidenced by our successful litigation holding opioid manufacturers accountable, we are committed to protecting our communities. With the recent news, Alabama is better equipped than ever to do so.”
Bromazolam has become an increasing concern for public health and law enforcement due to its potency and the difficulty of detecting and responding to overdoses. Naloxone, or Narcan, is ineffective against bromazolam overdoses, further increasing the risk of fatal outcomes.
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