Fentanyl overdoses are hurting communities all over the country, and it’s a problem we can’t ignore anymore. Fentanyl is a very strong drug, 50 times stronger than heroin, and it’s being mixed with other drugs. The result? More people are dying every day. In 2023 alone, 74,702 people in the U.S. died from fentanyl, according to the CDC.
This is why passing Bill S. 3519, called Tyler’s Law, is so important. It’s named after Tyler Shamash, a teenager who died because doctors didn’t know he had fentanyl in his body. This law would make sure hospitals across the U.S. test for fentanyl in emergency rooms. It could save lives, stop wrong diagnoses, and help more people understand how dangerous fentanyl is.
We need to work together to fight the fentanyl crisis that’s taking thousands of lives.
No more delays in treatment
Right now, many hospitals don’t automatically test for fentanyl when patients come in for overdoses. This can cause dangerous delays in treatment. With regular fentanyl testing, doctors would know right away if someone has fentanyl in their body. This means doctors can treat patients faster, which could save lives.
Stopping misdiagnoses
Fentanyl overdoses can look like other drug overdoses or health problems. Without fentanyl testing, doctors might think the person took a different drug or has another condition. This means they might give the wrong treatment, wasting time and not helping the patient. Quick fentanyl testing would help doctors understand what’s really happening and give the right care.
Raising awareness
Fentanyl testing will help nurses, doctors, and other hospital workers learn more about fentanyl. But it won’t just help in the hospital. When hospitals find patients with fentanyl, it helps the police know where the drug is showing up. This helps them find the people selling fentanyl and stop it from spreading. With hospitals and police working together, we can help communities understand even more just how dangerous fentanyl is.
Concerns about routine fentanyl testing
Some people worry that mandatory fentanyl testing will raise hospital costs, especially with rising prices after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s true that hospitals will need to spend more on tests and training, but the benefits are greater than the costs. Treating fentanyl overdoses the right way the first time will also save money by preventing more hospital visits later.
Another concern is that emergency rooms are already very busy, and some people think adding fentanyl tests will make people wait longer. But fentanyl tests are quick and can be done with other tests. Since they can help doctors treat patients faster, they could actually shorten the time some patients need to stay in the ER.
Lastly, people worry about training hospital staff. It’s true that staff will need training, but it’s worth it. Hospital workers across the U.S. need to be ready to handle this crisis. Investing in their training is investing in the health of our communities.
What can we do?
Now is the time to act to stop more people from dying due to fentanyl. While there are challenges, the benefits to our healthcare system and communities are much bigger. Your support is important. Contact Senator Joe Manchin, who strongly supports this bill, and show your support. You can also reach out to Bernie Sanders, the chairman of the committee reviewing the bill, showing your support too. Fill out their contact forms and write them emails to get Tyler’s Law passed.
Together, we can give our hospitals the tools to fight fentanyl. Every voice counts.
Tim Lam, a registered nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is a student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.
