TRENTON, NJ — The death of a New Jersey man from fentanyl poisoning recently prompted state lawmakers to introduce new legislation that would require schools to teach students about the dangers of the drug.
Bill S2818, or “Max’s Law,” was introduced by Sen. Holly Schepisi in February, nearly 18 months after 25-year-old Max Lenowitz of Woodcliff Lake died of fentanyl poisoning after taking a counterfeit Xanax pill.
An identical bill, A3909, was also introduced in the General Assembly.
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If passed, both bills would require New Jersey school districts to teach students about fentanyl and another street drug called xylazine as part of the state’s health learning standards.
“As a father, physician, and legislator, increasing awareness of lethal and illegal drugs that harm unsuspecting residents suffering from addiction or opioid-use disorder is a moral imperative,” said Assemblyman John Azzariti, who introduced the Assembly’s version of the bill. “It is especially important that we get in front of young people who are vulnerable to addiction and experimentation so they understand the enormous risks before they fall victim.”
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Lenowitz was celebrating his birthday in Atlantic City when he was given the pill by an unknown person, NJ 101.5 reported. His death prompted his mother to turn to state lawmakers for help.
“My family didn’t know much about fentanyl, nor did we know counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl were so easily acquired and shared among their peers. Fentanyl and the new street drug, xylazine are highly addictive and deadly,” Patrice Lenowitz told NJ 101.5. “One pill killed our son.”
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine and made into pills resembling other prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even in small doses, fentanyl-laced drugs are dangerous and can be deadly, the CDC says. More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Xylazine — also called “tranq” or “tranq dope” — is a non-opioid sedative or tranquilizer. While xylazine is not classified as a controlled substance in the United States, it is not approved for use in people.
Under the proposed legislation, schools would be required to teach students in grades 6-12 about fentanyl and xylazine abuse prevention and poisoning awareness. Instruction would also include information on the dangers of synthetic opioids and how to respond in case of an overdose.
If passed, New Jersey would be one of only six states to mandate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine, reports said. Other states that have already implemented laws include California, Illinois, Mississippi, Oregon and Texas.
After its introduction, the bill was referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
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