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Press Releases

WASHINGTON––Today, GOP Doctors Caucus members in the U.S. Senate released a public service announcement (PSA) warning about the dangers of illicit fentanyl that is wreaking havoc in communities throughout the nation and killing Americans at record rates. U.S. Senators John Boozman, O.D. (R-AR), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-WY), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Rand Paul M.D. (R-KY) participated in the PSA saying in part,

“I come to you today, not only as a U.S. Senator, but as a medical provider concerned for the health and safety of our nation. Fentanyl is killing over 200 Americans every day. Unfortunately, many Americans who have died from an overdose didn’t even know they were taking the deadliest drug our nation has ever seen…They didn’t know that just one pill can kill…As medical providers in the Senate, we know Fentanyl is everywhere – no community is spared…Never take any drug except those personally prescribed by your physician and filled by your pharmacist. Parents, teachers: please talk to your children before it’s too late…By working together we can make a difference and stop the drug traffickers that are driving addiction and poisoning our neighbors and children.

You may click HERE or on the image below to watch the PSA. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 56,000 deaths involving synthetic opioids (other than methadone), which includes fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, occurred in the United States in 2020 – a 56 percent increase from 2019.

In 2021, fentanyl surpassed methamphetamine as the leading cause of overdose deaths in Arkansas. According to data released by the Arkansas State Crime Lab, in 2020 there were 148 overdose deaths due to fentanyl.

Those in need of assistance can visit www.FindTreatment.gov.

Full Script of PSA:

Hi I’m Dr. Roger Marshall. I’m Dr. John Barrasso. I’m Dr. Bill Cassidy. I’m Dr. John Boozman. I’m Dr. Rand Paul.

I come to you today, not only as a U.S. Senator, but as a medical provider concerned for the health and safety of our nation.

Fentanyl is killing over 200 Americans every day.

Unfortunately, many Americans who have died from an overdose didn’t even know they were taking the deadliest drug our nation has ever seen.

They didn’t know that counterfeit prescription drugs like Percocet, oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall – are being laced with fentanyl.

And illicit drugs like marijuana, heroin, and meth – are being laced with fentanyl too.

They didn’t know drug traffickers are selling counterfeit pills that are nearly identical to legitimate prescription medicine.

They didn’t know that just one pill can kill.

And, they didn’t know that a lethal dose of illicit fentanyl is equivalent to a few grains of salt, which can fit on the tip of a pencil.

As medical providers in the Senate, we know Fentanyl is everywhere – no community is spared.

This epidemic is exploding and it’s killing our fellow Americans at record rates.

Never take any drug except those personally prescribed by your physician and filled by your pharmacist.

Parents, teachers: please talk to your children before it’s too late.

Be honest and direct – don’t assume anything.

By working together we can make a difference and stop the drug traffickers that are driving addiction and poisoning our neighbors and children.