Coastal GA News

BRUNSWICK, GA – In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), a pharmacist by trade, on Monday distributed drug safety pocket cards to local schools and called for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to provide survivor resources to the families of victims of illicit fentanyl poisoning. 

Our nation's current opioid epidemic, led by the rise in illicit fentanyl, is the number one cause of death for adults ages 18-45. As the accessibility of this drug rises, through weak border control policies and social media, more youth are falling victim to illicit fentanyl poisoning, which can be lethal at a dose of only 3 mg.

Noticing this trend, Rep. Carter created “Pocket Pharmacist” cards to ensure that everyone, from high school students to grandparents, is prepared for a drug-induced emergency and knows how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

“200 people die every day from fentanyl poisoning. If a plane crash killed 200 people, we would ground every flight until we were sure it was safe. I’m glad that the FDA recently made naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, available over the counter, but more must be done,” said Rep. Carter. “I’ve introduced the Recognizing Victims of Illicit Fentanyl Poisoning Act so that families of victims of illicit fentanyl poisoning are recognized as victims and have access to the resources they need. I’m also encouraging parents to talk to their children about drug safety. If you think fentanyl isn’t a problem in your community, think again.”

The Recognizing Victims of Illicit Fentanyl Poisoning Act would add fentanyl poisoning victims to the list of recognized victims in DOJ’s OVC. The OVC administers the Crime Victims Fund, which supports programs and services that focus on helping victims in the immediate aftermath of crime and continuing to support them as they rebuild their lives.

"I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Carter in addressing the public safety and health crisis that is fentanyl abuse and accidental exposure to this lethal poison. Now, the antidote for what is often accidental exposure is much easier to access. We applaud his efforts in the law enforcement community," said Chief Rod Ellis, Glynn County Board of Education Police.

"Drug poisonings are not a victimless crime,” said Kristy Dyroff, Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation board member and resident of Georgia’s First Congressional District. “My son was sold a drug online that was later discovered to be fentanyl. It killed him instantly. His death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. The dealer plead guilty to trafficking resulting in death and is now serving 20 years in federal prison. This drug is murdering almost 200 people each day in the U.S. The Office for Victims of Crime has a responsibility to stop stigmatizing our families and recognize us all as victims deserving of respect and advocacy services.”

Original source can be found here.