I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of fentanyl, having lost many people close to me in recent years. Now, a new threat has emerged with xylazine being mixed with fentanyl. This lethal combination results in overdoses that cannot be reversed with narcan, leading to an increasing number of unnecessary deaths.

The United States is currently experiencing a drug epidemic like no other. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that synthetic opioids, primarily illegal fentanyl, were involved in nearly 73% of opioid overdose deaths in 2019 (NIDA). The addition of xylazine into this mix only exacerbates the problem.

We need urgent action from our policymakers to address this crisis head-on. This includes stricter regulations on these substances and increased funding for education and prevention programs aimed at reducing drug misuse and addiction.

This is not just a statistic or an abstract issue; it's about real lives being lost every day due to these deadly drugs. We must act now before we lose more loved ones to this escalating epidemic.

Please sign this petition calling for immediate action against the fentanyl and xylazine drug crisis.