K 444: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 7, 2025, as Fentanyl Awareness Day in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 444 BY: M. of A. Lunsford MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 7, 2025, 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 7, 2025, 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 7, 2025, 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.