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Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) participated in Capitol Weekly’s Conference on Crime this week, speaking on the fentanyl crisis and opportunities for solutions. The discussion panel, moderated by KCRA 3 reporter Ashley Zavala, addressed this unique epidemic, what is currently being done, and where California is falling short on its response.
Last year, Senator Seyarto’s SB 19 was signed into law, establishing the Anti Fentanyl Task Force which brings together stakeholders from various backgrounds such as law enforcement, health care, education, and treatment. The task force, that has yet to be funded, would evaluate and make recommendations for best practices in the fight against fentanyl, which continues to rise as a cause of death for young Californians.
“It has become alarmingly clear that fentanyl has deadly consequences,” said Senator Seyarto. “If we can arrive at a balanced approach using strategies from the different organizations and agencies on the frontlines of the crisis, we have a chance at saving countless lives. We need to address both the supply and demand side, with education and effective law enforcement policies.”
In 2020 alone, California experienced nearly 4,000 deaths related to fentanyl overdose, and in 2021, fentanyl overdose became recognized as the leading cause of death of Americans aged 18 to 45.
Senator Seyarto is a retired firefighter/paramedic who served numerous Southern California communities during a career that spanned 35 years. He retired at the rank of Battalion Chief from the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 2015.