Bill Text: CA SCR119 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-06-10 - From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 10). [SCR119 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SCR119-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Concurrent Resolution

No. 119

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Introduced by Senator Umberg

February 28, 2024

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Relative to National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SCR 119, as introduced, Umberg. National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

This measure would designate May 7, 2024, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

Digest Key

Fiscal Committee: NO  

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Bill Text

WHEREAS, Drug traffickers mass-produce fake or counterfeit pills in an effort to falsely market them as legitimate prescription pills, resulting in deceptions and threats to the American public; and

WHEREAS, The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has observed a dramatic rise in the number of counterfeit pills containing at least two milligrams of fentanyl, which is considered a deadly dose; and

WHEREAS, Four out of 10 pills with fentanyl tested by the DEA contain a potentially lethal dose; and

WHEREAS, Illicit fentanyl is the number one cause of accidental death among persons 18 to 45 years of age, inclusive; and

WHEREAS, More than 20.4 million counterfeit pills have been seized with most having been laced with illicit fentanyl; and

WHEREAS, Fake or counterfeit pills have been identified in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; and

WHEREAS, Illicit fentanyl has also been detected in street drugs such as heroin and cocaine; and

WHEREAS, In 2023, over 112,000 people died of fentanyl-related overdoses; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 20 years, drug-induced deaths among persons 15 to 35 years of age, inclusive, have increased six-fold, largely driven by the increase in illicit fentanyl drugs; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, drug overdose and poisoning deaths for persons 14 to 18 years of age, inclusive, grew by 169 percent, more than three times as fast as the national rate and faster than any other five-year age group; and

WHEREAS, Fake or counterfeit pills are easily accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to teens and youth; and

WHEREAS, A recent study found 92 percent of teen overdose deaths are caused by fentanyl; and

WHEREAS, Illicit fentanyl is involved in more youth deaths than all other drug-related deaths combined; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature supports the recognition and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, which includes increasing individual and public awareness of the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills on families and young people; applauds the work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that work to combat the proliferation of counterfeit pills; encourages the use of existing authorities to proactively stop and prevent the spread of illicit counterfeit pills; and designates May 7, 2024, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.