DEA Bans Bromazolam Nationwide

AG: Oklahoma Newsroom

Filed March 25th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The DEA has added bromazolam, also known as 'Designer Xanax,' to the federal schedule of controlled substances at the request of Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. This Schedule I designation empowers law enforcement nationwide to address the dangerous synthetic drug, which has been linked to at least 15 deaths in Oklahoma.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has officially placed bromazolam, a synthetic drug referred to as 'Designer Xanax,' onto the federal Controlled Substances Act schedule. This action, taken in response to a request from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, designates bromazolam as a Schedule I controlled substance. This classification is a direct response to the drug's association with at least 15 deaths in Oklahoma and its increasing public health concern due to potency and resistance to Naloxone.

This nationwide ban grants law enforcement the explicit authority to crack down on the trafficking and distribution of bromazolam. Regulated entities involved in the manufacture, distribution, or possession of this substance must ensure immediate compliance with Schedule I controlled substance regulations. Failure to comply will result in significant legal penalties and enforcement actions. The DEA's action aims to increase awareness and provide the necessary legal framework to remove this deadly substance from circulation.

What to do next

Ensure compliance with Schedule I controlled substance regulations for bromazolam.
Review internal controls and inventory for any bromazolam or related substances.
Report any illicit activities or suspicious transactions involving bromazolam to law enforcement.

Penalties

Law enforcement empowered to hold traffickers accountable; potential for significant legal penalties and enforcement actions for non-compliance.

Source document (simplified)

DEA answers Drummond's call to ban 'Designer Xanax' nationwide

Tweet PRINT Email Wednesday, March 25, 2026 OKLAHOMA CITY (March 25, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the Trump Administration has acted on his request to create a nationwide ban on bromazolam, known as "Designer Xanax," a dangerous synthetic drug linked to at least 15 deaths in Oklahoma last year.

Last week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) formally added bromazolam to the federal schedule of controlled substances. The Schedule I designation empowers law enforcement across the country to crack down on bromazolam while increasing awareness of the drug's potentially deadly effects.

Last year, Drummond and a coalition of 20 state attorneys general urged the DEA to take emergency action and schedule the drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

"This is a major step forward in protecting Oklahoma families from a dangerous and unpredictable drug," Drummond said. "This decisive action by the Trump Administration gives law enforcement the authority needed to hold traffickers accountable and get this deadly substance off our streets."

Bromazolam has become an increasing concern for public health and law enforcement due to its potency and the difficulty detecting and responding to overdoses. Naloxone, or Narcan, is ineffective against bromazolam overdoses, further increasing the risk of fatal outcomes.

Last Modified on Mar 25, 2026