Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is urging federal officials to take swift action against a drug linked to deaths nationwide, according to a news release from his office.

Marshall joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general last week in calling on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to place bromazolam — often referred to as “designer Xanax” — on the federal controlled substances list. In a letter to DEA Administrator Terry Cole, the group warned the drug is “highly potent and unpredictable.”

“Unlike regulated medications, illicitly manufactured bromazolam lacks any quality controls, making it particularly lethal for unsuspecting users,” the letter stated.

Bromazolam is a synthetic benzodiazepine that has surfaced in counterfeit pills sold online and on the street. Unlike prescription drugs, it is unregulated and often mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of accidental overdose. Several states have reported fatalities tied to the drug.

Marshall said scheduling bromazolam would give law enforcement and prosecutors stronger tools to crack down on traffickers while sending a clear message that the drug has no place in American communities.

“As we have witnessed firsthand, our coalition is confident that President Trump is deeply committed to the health and safety of every American,” Marshall said in the release. “Bromazolam is an exceedingly dangerous substance that poses an urgent threat to our communities. To combat this menace effectively, our law enforcement agencies require immediate and comprehensive resources. We urgently call on the DEA and the Trump Administration to recognize the gravity of this issue and take decisive action to eliminate this drug from our neighborhoods. The time for a strong, proactive response is now.”

The Kentucky-led effort was joined by attorneys general from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The full letter can be read at www.alabamaag.gov.