Assembly Resolution No. 446
BY: M. of A. Lunsford
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 9, 2023, as Fentanyl Awareness Day in the State
of New York
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days set aside to increase awareness of serious health issues
which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 9, 2023, as Fentanyl
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Fentanyl Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body would like to take this moment to
remember all those who lost the battle to fentanyl, such as 19-year-old
Paige Gibbons of Pittsford, New York, and those who are courageously
battling substance abuse disorder; and
WHEREAS, Fentanyl overdose is a national public health crisis; each
and every day, people of all genders, races, ages, and socioeconomic
status are dying at alarming rates due to illegally made fentanyl, a
dangerous synthetic opioid; and
WHEREAS, Fentanyl is cheap, potent and profitable, and therefore,
continues to be found in a wide variety of drugs, including heroin,
cocaine, methamphetamine, and illicitly manufactured pills, some of
which are meant to mimic benzodiazepines, Molly/MDMA, and prescription
pain killers; and
WHEREAS, Fentanyl is involved in more American youth drug deaths
than heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and prescription
drugs combined; and
WHEREAS, Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50
than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all
other accidents; and
WHEREAS, Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fentanyl pills
and falsely labeling and marketing them as legitimate prescription pills
to deceive the American public, and 40% of those seized by law
enforcement contain a potentially lethal amount of fentanyl; and
WHEREAS, These fentanyl pills falsely labeled and marketed as
legitimate prescription pills have been found in all 50 states and
individuals should assume any prescription medicine, including
Oxycodone, Percocet, and Xanax, found online is fake; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious epidemic, and more must be done to increase activity and
knowledge at the local, state, and national levels to educate, support
and protect those afflicted as well as their families and caregivers;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 9, 2023, as Fentanyl
Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
