My son, a vibrant 33-year-old, was rushed to an emergency room after suffering a cardiac arrest after unknowingly ingesting fentanyl. The hospital conducted an initial urine drug screening but failed to test for fentanyl. Unaware of his existing condition, they administered more fentanyl which exacerbated his toxicity level. Five days later, my son was pronounced brain-dead due to fentanyl poisoning according to his autopsy.

This heartbreaking personal experience underscores the urgent need for change in our healthcare system. In Illinois alone, there has been an alarming increase in drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl - from 87 deaths in 2013 to 2,169 deaths in 2018 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Fentanyl was responsible for nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths in 2022. Yet despite this surge, many general acute care hospitals do not routinely include a urine drug screening for fentanyl.

Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.  Fentanyl is everywhere.  From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison.  We must take every opportunity to spread the word to prevent fentanyl-related overdose death and poisonings from claiming scores of American lives every day.”                              (DEA Administrator Anne Milgram)

We are calling on the state of Illinois to enact legislation requiring all general acute care hospitals to include a urine drug screening for fentanyl when treating patients. This simple action could save countless lives by ensuring proper diagnosis, treatment and assist Law enforcement with charging individuals in fentanyl drug induced homicides. 

Please sign this petition today and help us prevent other families from experiencing the devastating loss we have endured due to inadequate medical protocols.