Ohio House passes bill to increase awareness of fentanyl abuse in the state

The Ohio House announced on Monday the unanimous passing of a bill to raise awareness of fentanyl abuse in the state.

State Reps. Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, and Haraz N. Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, are the primary sponsors of House Bill 381, which, if signed into law, would create a specialty license plate supporting the mission of the Jack Quehl Foundation.

The Jack Quehl Foundation is named for Jack Quehl, a graduate of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, who lost his life at age 24 to fentanyl poisoning. Jack’s parents – Tom and Stephanie – have made it their mission after losing their son to educate others on the dangers of fentanyl and other illicit drug use through the foundation’s work, the press release said.

“The DoItForJack foundation is doing very important work to educate others on the deadly consequences of fentanyl. It is my honor to partner with them to raise awareness,” Abrams said.

Ghanbari added that Ohioans “must respond with urgency and compassion” because “fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities” in the state.

“I was proud to join my colleague Representative Abrams in crafting the language to authorize the DoItForJack license plate—an effort that raises awareness, supports prevention, and helps save lives,” he said. “By expanding access to critical resources and promoting harm-reduction and recovery, we honor those we’ve lost and strengthen our commitment to protecting every member of our community.”

House Bill 381 now advances to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The Department of Justice reported in 2022 that there were more than four million deadly doses of fentanyl seized in Ohio during the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s surge.

“Across the country and particularly here, in Northern Ohio, we have witnessed, firsthand, the proliferation of fentanyl and the devastating effects it has had on our neighbors and loved ones,” First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler said.  “Fighting back against drug traffickers who flood our streets with this deadly narcotic – particularly in pill form – is an enduring and relentless battle, but we must continue to fight.”

DEA Detroit Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene also said that “fentanyl in pill form is a deliberate attempt by drug cartels to make illicit drug use more appealing to Americans.”

“Fake pills are especially concerning because of the appeal they can have to an unsuspecting person. One may believe they are taking a legitimate pharmacy-grade pill but far too often, that isn’t the case,” Greene said. “Fake prescription pills bought on the street are made in clandestine labs, primarily in Mexico, from chemicals sourced from China, and contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.”