NC Lawmakers take steps toward banning 'gas station heroin', send letter to FDA

Lawmakers sent a letter to the FDA Thursday taking the first steps toward banning the dangerous substance tianeptine, known as 'gas station heroin.'

Tianeptine is not regulated by the FDA but WRAL News discovered it is still winding up on local store shelves. Often times it is being marketed as a dietary supplement or a mood booster.

States across the U.S. have reported a rise in overdoses due to the drug, according to the FDA.

The drug is already banned in nine states, including bordering states Tennessee and Georgia.

Thursday's letter received bipartisan support and was led by Reps. Jeff Jackson (D-NC) and Rick McCormick (R-Ga.). Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) was also among signees.

In the letter members wrote, "The urgent need for FDA action on Tianeptine cannot be overstated. It is vital to support legislative or administrative initiatives that strengthen FDA oversight and provide states greater ability to protect our communities from the dangers posed by unregulated substances, like tianeptine."

In a statement Rep. Jackson says : 

“Tianeptine or ‘gas station heroin’ is highly addictive and has major health risks - all without any oversight from the FDA. We need immediate action to help protect families and their kids from the highly accessible, dangerous substance.”