State Sen. Anthony Portantino introduced a new Senate Bill, SB 997, that focuses on allowing students to carry fentanyl strips and enforcing schools to provide Narcan nasal spray.
In this day and age, I believe this bill should be passed since it can drastically help save thousands of lives in our community. It is unfortunate to say, but many young people overdose on fentanyl due to the fact that you cannot see it, taste it or smell it.
According to fentanylfrontline.org, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Therefore, 92% of teens overdose on fentanyl, and it is said to be the number one leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds.
As a 20-year-old, I have witnessed how large of an impact drugs can play in young people’s lives. As unfortunate as it is, I have also seen and heard many young people overdose and die because of the drugs they are taking within the Glendale community. The most common place where youths obtain these drugs are from their friends at school. Therefore, it is obvious to understand that schools should be eager to have this bill implemented to ensure they can keep the students as safe as possible.
All the voices of those in the Glendale community matter, and we must all help spread the word about this bill and ensure Sen. Portantino passes it for the safety and well-being of the youth in our communities.
Elizabeth Baburyan
Burbank
First published in the February 16 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
