Here is how Fresno County residents can take action to end fentanyl-related deaths | Opinion

Too many of my friends and neighbors have overdosed on recreational drugs laced with fentanyl.

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics acknowledged 107,375 deaths of Americans due to drug overdose in 2021 alone. Of those deaths, 67% are related to the use of synthetic opioids. Fentanyl is reportedly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

While fentanyl is medically used to treat severe pain, street usage has become deadly for Americans. A staggering number of drug-related deaths are from users unaware that their product was laced with fentanyl. From this opioid crisis, our lawmakers need to ensure fentanyl will be permanently defined as a Schedule I narcotic.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, just two milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose. Two milligrams are equivalent to just 10-15 grains of table salt. Fentanyl is most often added to powdered drugs, capsule pills and pressed pills. Fentanyl enhances addiction, which contributes to more sales for dealers.

The fentanyl crisis will not end overnight. It will take a multi-year effort from our government to stop the production and transportation of this lethal substance.The first step our local leaders can take is making Naloxone widely available to Fresno County residents by hosting distribution events. Naloxone, often branded Narcan, is an FDA-approved drug that has the potential to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is a lifesaving drug; however, it may only work for a short period of time. If someone you know is experiencing an overdose, immediately call 911.

On a larger scale, lawmakers need to permanently label all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I narcotics. In 2018, the DEA temporarily labeled fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I. In the last five years, the temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances has been extended six times. As per Public Law 117-328, fentanyl-related substances are now considered temporarily Schedule I narcotics until Dec. 31, 2024. We Americans can do better than this.

Permanent scheduling for fentanyl-related substances will force law enforcement to be better equipped in keeping our community safe and be able to apprehend the traffickers and dealers. The scheduling of fentanyl-related substances is crucial in holding our law enforcement accountable for busting dealers and taking their products off the street. Where there is supply, there is demand.

On Jan. 26, Reps. Chris Pappas (New Hampshire First Distict), Dan Newhouse (Washington Fourth), and Tony Gonzales (Texas 23) introduced the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act. The goal of this bipartisan legislation is to permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I narcotics. These representatives rightly believe that this permanent scheduling of fentanyl-related substances will provide law enforcement with tools to combat the opioid crisis.

To ensure this bill is passed, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and enter your zip code to find your local representativ. and locate their contact information. Our Representatives are there for us. Call your representative’s office or send them an email to advocate for the induction of the SAFE Act to permanently make all fentanyl-related substances Schedule I narcotics. Together, we can take action to end fentanyl-related deaths.