Central OC Times

SACRAMENTO (Aug 21, 2024) – Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) issued a statement on National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day:

“The data doesn’t lie. Fentanyl deaths have increased significantly in the past five years. Los Angeles County Public Health reported that deaths rose almost 2,000 percent between 2016 and 2022. Emergency room overdoses rose 833 percent. Californians are facing a crisis. Not only do we need to take action by changing our state laws, we need to spread awareness about the fatal nature of this opioid."

Dixon highlighted her legislative efforts to address the issue: "Last year, I picked up the torch for Alexandra’s Law and introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 12. This legislation would have amended the California State Constitution to hold drug dealers, who deal fentanyl resulting in death, responsible. While the bill was refused a policy committee hearing, you’ll be pleased to see this policy on your ballot in November."

She emphasized ongoing efforts to raise awareness about fentanyl's dangers: "We continue to spread the word about the potentially fatal consequences of illegally consuming fentanyl."

Perla Mendoza, a constituent from Seal Beach who lost her son Elijah after he consumed a fake pain pill made of pure fentanyl, supported Dixon's measure by traveling to Sacramento. Dixon noted their conversation about Mendoza's nonprofit organization: "Watch our conversation here to learn more about her nonprofit, Project Eli, founded in his honor, and what we can do as a community to fight the fentanyl epidemic: Asm. Dixon, Sen. Nguyen and Perla Mendoza – National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day 2024 (youtube.com)."