Assemblyman Keith P. Brown, representing Northport, has joined forces with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to back Assembly Bill A.8540, known as the Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act. This initiative aims to tackle the fentanyl crisis through education, prevention, and mental health support in New York’s schools. The bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen from Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a statewide Fentanyl Education, Awareness and Recognition Program for students in grades six through 12 across public, private, and charter schools.
For Assemblyman Brown, this issue is personal due to the loss of his nephew Jesse Romanasky to a fentanyl overdose just before his 20th birthday. “Jesse wasn’t some nameless case,” Brown said. “He was a real kid… But like too many kids, his path to substance use started young.”
Brown believes that undiagnosed bipolar disorder contributed to Jesse’s struggles. He advocates for the bill to include mental health education alongside drug warnings. “This legislation has to be about more than saying ‘don’t do drugs.’ We need to equip students with the tools to manage emotional pain,” he stated.
Brown emphasized that schools should teach emotional coping skills and stress management while providing resources for help when needed. “Our children deserve support, compassion and tools to navigate a very complicated world,” he added.
Expressing his commitment to the cause, Brown said, “I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill. For Jesse. For every student who still has a chance.”
