This requires national attention.

The prevalence of illicit fentanyl in fake pain pills is putting students at high risk of overdosing. This powerful synthetic opioid is lethal, even in small doses. And sadly, many students are taking these pills, not realizing that they could be fatal.

According to Song for Charlie, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about fake pills, only 2 in 5 young Americans consider themselves knowledgeable about fentanyl, and only 36 percent of teens know that fentanyl is being used to create fake pills.

This requires national attention.

Inspired by an effective Beaverton School District program that aims to save lives by educating students about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, I introduced the bipartisan Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act.

This legislation:

• Facilitates partnerships among school districts, local health authorities, and nonprofit organizations.

• Convenes an interagency task force with the departments of Health and Human Services and Education to coordinate and improve the federal response to youth fentanyl overdoses.

• Provides professional development for educators, school leaders, and parents on the dangers of fentanyl.

• Helps to identify the prevalence of fentanyl in public schools and reviews disciplinary outcomes for students using or in possession of fentanyl in public schools.

• Allows school-based health centers to use funding for Naloxone, a critical overdose reversal drug.

• Amends the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Monitoring the Future Survey and evaluates the effectiveness and reach of the CDC's State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System.

Together, we can save lives by educating students, families, and teachers about the dangers of fake pills laced with fentanyl.

Thank you for standing with me,

Suzanne