Assemblyman James C. Ramos plans to introduce bills to prevent distribution of the lethal fentanyl opiate through social media platforms. He also hopes to spotlight medicines such as Narcan to treat overdoses.
“Fentanyl-related deaths are skyrocketing across the state and nation, we can only succeed in confronting this surge of fatalities with an ongoing assault on many fronts,” Ramos said. “Any quick online search will list multiple articles about the exponential increase in fentanyl-related deaths due to drug use but also because of unintended exposure.
“Therefore, we must deal with both law enforcement and with treatment issues involving fentanyl ingestion or even incidental exposure. But we can’t stop there. We must also address the underlying mental health issues that may lead to substance abuse.”
Ramos has met with the families and friends of fentanyl victims such retired San Bernardino police sergeant Steve Filson and mental health professionals such as Dr. Veronica A. Kelley, director for the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health.
“The loved ones of those who have fallen to fentanyl want to know that we are doing all we can to end this plague,” Ramos said. “I will do all I can to prevent fentanyl sales, to stop the fatal adulteration of other drugs, and to ensure resources are available to deal with the underlying issue of substance abuse and other mental health concerns.”
The lawmaker observed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics has announced that 100,000 people had died of overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021. It was the first time drug-related deaths reached six figures in any 12-month period.
According to news reports, the milestone data showed there are now more overdose deaths from the illegal synthetic opioid fentanyl than there were overdose deaths from other drugs in 2016.
Reports also suggest the high number of deaths is related to fentanyl contamination of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and other drugs. CDC data suggested fentanyl was involved in more than 60% of the overdose deaths last year.
One Ramos bill would require social media platforms to publish their preventative policies that aid in blocking illegal activity and to submit those policies to the state attorney general’s office. Although social media companies have announced the introduction of new practices to remedy drug distribution through their platforms, the actual implementation of protocols are not monitored or verified by state regulatory bodies.
Given that all social media platforms create opportunities for drug sales to occur, Ramos said effective and documented proactive deterrents should be established and verified through the California Department of Justice.
What is Narcan?
Naloxone is a common treatment used in responding to fentanyl overdoses and is commonly administered as a nasal spray opioid blocker known by the brand name of Narcan. It is legal to purchase for consumer use, but not always widely available.
