I am writing this petition with a heavy heart and a personal understanding of the destructive force of the opioid crisis. We as a community and society alone have lost a tragic amount of good friends, family, companions, and significant others due to accidental, unintentional, or addictive overdose on fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. 

Despite its lethal potential, fentanyl misuse is growing. National Institute on Drug Abuse states that; synthetic opioid fatalities, primarily driven by fentanyl, have increased nearly six-fold since 2013. Unfortunately, accidental contamination of recreational drugs with fentanyl is often to blame, making establishments like bars unforeseen battlegrounds in the fight against the fentanyl crisis.

Thus, I urge regulatory agencies to mandate that all public and local bars provide fentanyl testing strips in their restrooms. These test strips can detect even trace amounts of fentanyl in drugs, providing potentially life-saving information for users. Their use is growing in areas hard-hit by the opioid crisis, yet there is no nationwide standard to enforce this simple preventive measure.

By endorsing this petition, we take a stand against the rising tide of opioid fatalities. We demand policy makers enact regulations requiring fentanyl testing strips in all public bars, pubs, clubs, and nightlife restrooms, to enact the prevention of more overdoses. Please sign this petition and raise awareness of this simple but effective tool in battling the opioid crisis. Please sign this petition to save lives.