Senator Portantino’s Opioid Epidemic Bill Passes Senate Floor, Heads to Governor’s Desk
For Immediate Release: August 31, 2024
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino’s Opioid Epidemic Bill Passes Senate Floor, Heads to Governor’s Desk
Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 997, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), passed the Senator Floor and is headed to Governor’s desk for signature. The bill helps tackle the opioid epidemic and drug related overdoses among our youth by allowing students to carry both fentanyl test strips and opioid antagonists. The bill had its genesis during the Senator’s summer internship program, where interns have the opportunity to research subject areas and propose bill ideas directly to Senator Portantino.
“Clearly, we need multiple approaches and strategies to address the opioid epidemic. SB 997 implements preventative measures to help avoid opioid related deaths in high schools,” stated Senator Portantino. “Allowing fentanyl test strips and Narcan nasal products – both of which are easy to administer – will save lives and make our children safer.”
According to the California Department of Public Health, there were over 7,000 opioid related deaths in 2022, with fentanyl poisoning accounting for approximately 88% of deaths. Among young people, fentanyl poisoning accounted for 640 out of 807 deaths by opioid overdose.
SB 997 would permit students in middle and high schools to carry a federally approved opioid antagonist and test strips.
“Although Narcan can swiftly counteract the effects of opioid overdoses, we can also take a different approach that eliminates the need for opioid antagonists altogether,” Libby Paquette, a former intern in Senator Portantino’s office who presented the bill idea. “The logic behind providing test strips is to present the opportunity to avoid drugs contaminated with Fentanyl entirely. I believe test strips will help save lives when Narcan is not available. We hope the Governor will sign this live saving measure.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips, which typically give results within 5 minutes. Furthermore, the use of Narcan (Naloxone), which is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, is safe and easy to use and works almost immediately. It is now available over the counter, without a prescription at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.
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