South Central PA News

The Pennsylvania state House has approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that aims to save lives by expanding fentanyl and xylazine testing in the state. The bill, Senate Bill 683, would require general acute care hospitals to test for fentanyl and xylazine when treating a person who is receiving a standard urine drug screening in an emergency room setting. Currently, only 5% of toxicology screens test overdose patients for Fentanyl, and the percentage is even smaller for xylazine testing.

"Fentanyl is the No. 1 cause of death for Americans ages 18-45," Mastriano stated. "We have an opportunity to enact a law to save lives. Testing for fentanyl can mean the difference between life and death for someone who has unknowingly been poisoned with it." Xylazine, a lethal tranquilizer, is increasingly being mixed with other illegal drugs, leading to additional overdose deaths.

Mastriano emphasized the importance of fentanyl and xylazine testing, stating, "The ability to know if a person has fentanyl or xylazine in his or her system could save that person’s life. The tests are available and effective, so we need to make sure they’re being used to prevent poisoning overdoses. These tests can provide health care professionals with the information they need to treat people poisoned with fentanyl and xylazine."

The legislation also includes provisions that require the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, to distribute informational materials regarding the health risks associated with xylazine use.

Mastriano shared a heartbreaking story during his speech in the Senate, highlighting the urgent need for expanded testing. He recounted the story of Tyler Shamash, a 19-year-old man who died due to a fentanyl overdose. Shamash was taken to the emergency room in 2018 and given a standard toxicology screen that failed to detect the fentanyl in his system. Mastriano's bill aims to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring that testing for these dangerous substances becomes standard practice in emergency rooms.

The bill received wide bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House and will now be presented to the governor to be signed into law. Similar legislation has already been enacted in California and Maryland.

Expanding fentanyl and xylazine testing is crucial for saving lives and addressing the fentanyl poisoning epidemic in Pennsylvania. By detecting these lethal substances in patients' systems, healthcare professionals can provide timely treatment and potentially prevent fatal overdoses. Moreover, testing can also help in disposing of counterfeit pills, connecting patients with drug abuse treatment options, and assisting law enforcement in apprehending and prosecuting drug dealers.

The passage of Senate Bill 683 is a significant step towards combating the fentanyl crisis and protecting the health and well-being of Pennsylvania communities.

To learn more, click on this link: https://senatormastriano.com/2023/12/14/mastriano-legislation-to-save-lives-through-expanded-fentanyl-testing-heads-to-the-governors-desk/