Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

July 9, 2026

Proposal Seeks to Ban ‘Gas Station Heroin’

You can find them on the counters at convenience stores, vape shops and online retailers. 

They promise to help consumers with a list of ailments, including anxiety, depression and pain. Other products use the word “nootropic,” and promise to serve as cognitive enhancers.

They are sold in bright packaging with bold names like All Day Long, Spar Purple, and Pegasus Gold.

But healthcare officials have a different name for them – “Gas Station Heroin.”

Recently, legislation I co-sponsored, House Bill 377, to prohibit the sale and manufacturing of products with tianeptine, the active ingredient in these products, was passed by the House. 

Tianeptine is an antidepressant that can produce feelings of euphoria that mimic the effects of heroin and other opioids, making it highly addictive. Tianeptine is a prescription drug in Europe but often sold as an ingredient in products sold in gas stations and online in the United States. 

Emergency response statistics regarding tianeptine don’t compare to better known narcotics, such as heroin. However, what is concerning is the sharp overall rise in overdoses. Prior to 2022, overdose cases related to tianeptine did not warrant monitoring.

However, since Jan. 1, 2023, there were nearly 7,000 instances where emergency professionals responded to overdoses related to tianeptine products nationwide, a majority of which occurred in eastern states. 

Statistics in Pennsylvania include 15 cases since 2023. Two of the cases, one in Bucks County and one in Fayette County, ended in fatalities. In nine of the cases, the patient required ventilation in an Intensive Care Unit.

I began studying this topic soon after a conversation with local law enforcement officers. It was obvious that the availability of these products has only increased. But how is the sale of products with tianeptine legal?

The short answer is because the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has not scheduled tianeptine federally under the Controlled Substances Act and because the products are usually marketed as “dietary supplements” or “for research purposes,” allowing them to be sold without the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s review.

If enacted, House Bill 377 would make Pennsylvania the 12th state to completely prohibit the manufacturing or selling of tianeptine. Individuals convicted of violating the law could face penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.

The proposal is pending consideration in the Senate.

Here are some additional news topics I would like to share.

Community Fair Event Later This Month - I want to remind you of my Community Health, Wellness and Career Fair scheduled for Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Lamplighter, 6566 Route 22 in Delmont. This is a free event to make it easy for residents throughout the 55th District to meet the organizations that serve our neighborhoods! At the event, seniors can apply for a PRT Connect Card to use public transportation for free. Delmont Police will be present to assist motorists whose license plates are difficult to read. Be certain to bring your current vehicle registration and driver’s license. Call 724-472-4102 with any questions.

Important Student Aid Deadline! - First-time PA State Grant applicants planning to attend a community college, trade school or other eligible school have until Saturday, Aug. 1, to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a PA State Grant in 2026-27. 

The PA State Grant Program is offered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and provides funding to eligible undergraduate students that does not have to be repaid. Information about the program can be found at PHEAA.org. Complete your FAFSA now at StudentAid.gov. 

Nominate Your Favorite Trail  - If you have a favorite trail that provides unique opportunities, encourages and celebrates diverse user groups, or enhances your community, please nominate it for Pennsylvania’s 2027 Trail of the Year. 

Each year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC) designate a Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails and raise public awareness about the economic, environmental and health benefits trails bring. The winning trail will be recognized through a commemorative poster for statewide distribution, a trailhead marker along the trail, and a grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail. Visit PA.gov to nominate your favorite trail. The deadline for nomination is Friday, July 31.  



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com