The nationwide battle against deadly drugs took a big step forward last week as Congress passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a sweeping bipartisan measure that permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I substances. The bill, now headed to President Trump’s desk for signature, gives law enforcement expanded tools to dismantle trafficking operations and combat the synthetic opioid that’s become the deadliest drug threat in America.
South Shore Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who voted in favor of the bill, called the fentanyl crisis “a national emergency” that demands decisive action. “The fentanyl crisis is taking lives at an alarming rate, and stronger tools are urgently needed to confront it head-on,” Garbarino said. “Every single life lost to fentanyl is more than just a statistic—and this bill is a critical step toward saving lives and securing our borders.”
The federal crackdown arrives as New York continues to reel from the consequences of synthetic opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30,000 opioid-related deaths occurred in New York between 2018 and 2024—many of them tied to fentanyl or its analogs.
One Suffolk County case this month illustrated the crisis in stark terms. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced the indictment of Quon Williams, 39, of Islip Terrace, who is accused of possessing more than eight ounces of fentanyl—enough to kill over 113,000 people. Even more disturbing, the drugs were allegedly stored in a home with children.
“These allegations highlight a deeply troubling situation where substantial quantities of deadly narcotics were allegedly found in a home where three young children lived,” Tierney said. “We will continue working with law enforcement to investigate these allegations thoroughly while ensuring the safety and welfare of the children involved.”
While the HALT Fentanyl Act focuses on law enforcement, state lawmakers are pushing educational efforts to curb the crisis before it begins. In Albany, Medford Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano is backing the Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act—legislation that would launch an opioid education campaign for students in grades 6 through 12.
“Education is our first line of defense when it comes to combating the evils of drug addiction,” said DeStefano. “Too often, our youngest New Yorkers are exposed to illegal, deadly substances with no concept of the risks associated with buying, selling, and using those substances.”
The proposal, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen of the Mohawk Valley and supported by members of the Assembly Minority Conference, includes emotional testimony from grieving parents such as Greg Swan, co-founder of the Fentanyl Fathers nonprofit.
One of the bill’s supporters, Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport), lost his 19-year-old nephew, Jesse, to a fentanyl overdose—underscoring the bill’s urgent and personal relevance. Jesse was a student, worker, and youth soccer referee whose sudden death left a lasting impact on his family and community.
“Stories like Jesse’s serve as a powerful reminder of how real this crisis is,” Brown said. “Students learning about these stories will respond to their authenticity.”
The educational initiative also aims to teach students about synthetic opioids such as carfentanil, which is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, and about how drug dealers increasingly lace other substances with fentanyl—often without the user’s knowledge.
With federal and state efforts converging, the message from lawmakers and law enforcement is clear: fentanyl is a scourge that requires a multi-pronged response—one rooted in prevention, prosecution, and education. “Tragically, there is a need for such a bill,” DeStefano concluded, “but the harsh reality speaks to the demand that this step be taken.”
As the HALT Fentanyl Act awaits the President’s signature, advocates across New York hope it will mark a turning point in the effort to stem the tide of synthetic opioid deaths—and begin saving lives.