Wednesday, January 22, 2025
New York state is facing a public health catastrophe, and it’s one that demands immediate and sustained attention. The fentanyl crisis has reached a point where the loss of life, particularly among young people, can no longer be ignored; we are in a state of emergency. Fentanyl is now the single deadliest drug threat this country has ever encountered, and the time for action is long overdue.
Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, and it’s increasingly being mixed into other illicit drugs, often without users’ knowledge. Sold as powders, nasal sprays, and counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription opioids, these substances are far more lethal than people realize. What makes the fentanyl crisis so particularly insidious is that even a tiny dose can be fatal. And it’s everywhere — taking lives in every corner of this country, with no demographic untouched.
The numbers are harrowing: Opioid-related overdose deaths have surged, driven primarily by fentanyl. We are losing a generation, and the devastating toll is felt by families and communities across New York state. But there is hope. The introduction of opioid antagonists, such as naloxone (Narcan), has been a lifesaver, literally. Narcan has reversed countless overdoses, and it’s one of the key tools saving lives every day.
As first responders and medical professionals have increasingly pointed out, however, the standard 4 milligram dose of Narcan is proving less effective against fentanyl overdoses, which often require doses of 6 or 8 milligrams to fully reverse the effects. This is an alarming trend, and it underscores the urgency of addressing this crisis with even more robust solutions.
I am stepping up with a series of legislative measures that could help turn the tide. One of my bills, A7520, would require opioid distributors to include educational materials with opioid prescriptions. These materials would cover essential topics such as how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, how to safely store and dispose of opioids, and where to access substance-use treatment services. This is an important step, because knowledge is power when it comes to preventing overdose deaths, and it could help individuals and families make informed decisions about opioid use.
Another crucial piece of legislation, A09841 would require physicians and pharmacists to counsel patients about the addictive potential of opioids before prescribing or dispensing them. This bill emphasizes the importance of patient education in preventing opioid misuse. Similarly, another bill, A7306, would allow health care providers to access opioid history data for their patients, enabling them to make better-informed decisions about treatment, and protecting those with a history of substance abuse from unnecessary risks.
The most timely of the bills, A10193, would expand the state’s definition of “opioid antagonists” to include all FDA-approved medications, not just Narcan. This would open the door for a broader range of treatment options to reverse opioid overdoses, potentially saving even more lives. It’s a simple but effective measure that would put more tools in the hands of those fighting this epidemic.
While these bills represent a step in the right direction, it’s clear that the state’s focus must remain fixed like a laser beam on this crisis. The fentanyl epidemic is not going away, and we can’t afford to lose any more lives to preventable overdoses. The Legislature must continue to prioritize this issue and make it a central part of its agenda. A coordinated effort across state and local governments, public health organizations and first responders is needed to tackle this crisis head-on.
It’s time for all of us — lawmakers, health care professionals, educators and the general public — to unite in the fight against fentanyl. Through focused legislation, increased education, and better access to life-saving medications, we can begin to reverse the devastating trends we’re seeing. New York can and must lead the way in addressing this deadly epidemic. The stakes are too high, and too many lives are at stake, for us to do otherwise.
Keith Brown represents the 12th Assembly District.
