A group of Californians are gathering signatures for a new ballot measure that would make fentanyl dealers accountable for their crimes while saving people from a drug that has become a leading cause of overdose deaths.
Initiative proponent Matthew Capelouto has had enough with lawmakers who fail to act on drug-related bills. His daughter Alexandra died in 2019 after she purchased a pill online that was laced with fentanyl.
“This initiative is brought by families to save other families from having to experience the loss of a loved one to fentanyl poisoning,” Capelouto told the Northern California Record by email. “Because it can happen to anyone.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adolescent overdose deaths involving fentanyl more than tripled from 2019 to 2021; nearly a quarter of those deaths were not traditional overdoses, instead involving counterfeit pills masquerading as prescription drugs.
California Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta last fall issued the official Title and Summary for the fentanyl ballot measure, and proponents are gathering signatures to place the measure on the ballot.
“We have until April 30 to turn signatures into the counties for verification,” Capelouto said. “We need to submit 620,000 valid signatures to qualify the initiative for the November 2024 ballot.”
The CDC also states that educating people about the danger of fentanyl and counterfeit pills, while working with law enforcement to stop drug trafficking, is key to reversing the increase in overdose deaths.
“This initiative saves lives by providing critical tools for prosecutors in the fentanyl crisis,” Capelouto said. “It helps reduce fentanyl deaths by holding dealers accountable for their actions through a new mid-sentencing tool, and the Alexandra's Law warning sends the clear message to those convicted of hard drug crimes, that if they choose to continue their behavior and sell and kill, the consequence will be severe.”
“California families are losing their loved ones,” Capelouto said. “This ballot initiative will help by preventing deaths and providing justice. That's why the Stop Fentanyl Dealers coalition is comprised of so many California families.”
The state’s current laws lack penalties and enforcement, Capelouto said
“We have laws targeting high-level drug manufacturers and distributors, but what we're lacking is accountability for lower-level street dealers — the ones directly selling the lethal doses that are killing 6,000+ Californians every year,” Capelouto said.
The lack of urgency from some state lawmakers has mobilized many families.
“The legislature had the chance to pass meaningful fentanyl reforms over the past few years, but they balked, limiting their actions mostly to education and task forces,” Capelouto said.
“While they did pass and the governor did sign AB 701, which contains sentencing enhancements for fentanyl, it deals only with those selling 1 kilo or more,” Capelouto said.
He said fentanyl shouldn’t be treated like other hard drugs because according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is 50% stronger than heroin and 100% more potent than morphine. It only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl to kill — while 1 kilo could kill 500,000 people.
DEA data also shows that fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans age 18-45.
“This initiative is about saving lives from fentanyl poisoning,” Capelouto said. “It goes after the dealers selling this poison, not those who have taken it (accidentally or otherwise). It is the first of its kind to hold drug dealers at all levels accountable for the deaths resulting from the deadly drugs they sell. It provides justice for victims, accountability for drug dealers, and a much-needed deterrent for those who continue to engage in the fentanyl trade.”