Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also prone to abuse by drug addicts. Fentanyl is often added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which can result in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.

In 2021, there were at least 106,000 drug overdose deaths reported in the United States. The majority of these deaths involved opioids including methadone, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. And this number has been rising steadily. Opioid-involved overdose deaths rose from 21,089 in 2010 to 47,600 in 2017 and remained steady through 2019. This was followed by a significant increase in 2020 with 68,630 reported deaths and again in 2021 with 80,411 reported overdose deaths. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that, when given ion time, can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is the most effective way to prevent overdose.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.3570 - Comprehensive Response to Fentanyl-Related Substances and Fentanyl-Laced Substances Act (118th Congress 2023-2024)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (FL)

• I oppose reforming current fentanyl policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
• I support establishing several programs and requirements to address the use of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced substances by:
  
  1.) Including training and resources for teachers on how to carry and administer opioid overdose reversal drugs (e.g., naloxone). DOJ must also increase resources and establish an interagency task force for law enforcement agencies to combat the trafficking of fentanyl-laced substances.
  
  2.) Developing a national strategy to prevent the use of fentanyl-laced substances, awarding grants to state and localities for treatment programs for those who are addicted to fentanyl-laced substances, and researching the health effects of fentanyl-laced substances.
  
  3.) Increasing criminal penalties for adulterating or misbranding drugs if the violation results in serious bodily injury or death.
  
  And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (FL) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.