Tampa Republic

Washington, D.C. – On May 9, U.S. Reps. Laurel Lee (R-FL) and David Trone (D-MD) introduced the bicameral Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets (OPIOIDS) Act to assist law enforcement in collecting information on fentanyl and fentanyl-like substances. This legislation will increase training for state and local law enforcement officers, update systems used for drug tracing, and provide federal grants for training and resources to stop secondary drug exposure to first responders. 

You can read the full text of the bill here.

“The fentanyl epidemic has affected far too many families across the country, which is now the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45. Through numerous conversations with law enforcement officers, health care experts, and advocates, it is clear that our first responders need more tools to combat this crisis,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee. “The OPIOIDS Act will ensure that our first responders and law enforcement officers have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. Thank you to Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Trone for supporting this bicameral and bipartisan legislation and I look forward to growing this legislation’s support with my colleagues.” 

2 milligrams of fentanyl, equivalent to a few grains of salt, is a lethal dose. In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) seized 4.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to kill every American.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Illicit fentanyl continues to endanger communities and families all across the country and it must be stopped. We have lost too many mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends, and I will not allow the horrific consequences of inadequate policies in Washington, or the heartbreak of families hurt by this terrible drug, to be ignored. I’m proud to lead this effort with Senator Peter Welch in the Senate and want to thank Representatives Laurel Lee and David Trone for their introduction of our bipartisan, bicameral OPIOIDS Act in the House. This will bring much-needed action against the crisis that is hurting so many Americans and their families. I urge all of our colleagues to stand with the victims of fentanyl, their families and everyone fighting this battle by supporting this important legislation.”

“To best combat the opioid epidemic, we need to equip our first responders on the frontlines with the best tools. It’s just common sense,” said Congressman David Trone, co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “The OPIOIDS Act would deliver crucial funding to stem the supply of fentanyl into our communities and help save lives. I remain committed to fighting this crisis from every angle—and this bill does just that.”

Read the Senate companion bill here.

Original source can be found here.