SAVANNAH – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced a resolution declaring August 21, 2024, as National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.
The resolution aims to preserve the memory of those who lost their lives to illicit fentanyl poisoning, acknowledge the devastation caused by using illicit fentanyl, and raise awareness of the dangers of this deadly drug. In 2023, illicit fentanyl and its analogues claimed more than two-thirds of the 107,000 American lives lost to drug overdoses.
“When it comes to fentanyl, just one pill can kill. We are losing 200 people per day in this country due to fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances, and many do not know they’ve taken a lethal dose of fentanyl until it is too late. This poisoning epidemic cannot continue. As a pharmacist serving in Congress, I feel the call to raise awareness about the dangers of this illicit drug, which is exactly what this resolution does,” said Rep. Carter.
To mitigate the effects of the fentanyl crisis in Georgia’s First Congressional District and save lives, Rep. Carter will host an August 20th training on naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug that was recently made available over-the-counter.
“I’ve been a long-time advocate for naloxone, which is safe and effective, to be available over-the-counter. Now that the FDA has finally made the right move and increased the public’s access to this lifesaving drug, it is critical that we learn how to use it properly so that we can keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe. You never know when you could be called on to save a life, and you want to be ready when that call comes,” said Rep. Carter.
Representatives from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia Department of Public Health Facing Fentanyl, Families Against Fentanyl, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Emergent BioSolutions will participate in the event.
What: National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day Kick-off Naloxone training
Where: Groves High School
When: August 20th, 10:00 am
Participants must register here to attend the training.
Download the event flyer here.
Download Rep. Carter’s drug safety pocket card here.
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