The HALT Fentanyl Act Has Passed
Published: Fri, 06/13/25
Updated: Fri, 06/13/25
Dear ,
Today, a powerful step was taken in the battle against one of the deadliest drug crises in American history. The HALT Fentanyl Act has passed—bringing long-needed tools to law enforcement, recognition to
grieving families, and hope to communities fighting to protect future lives. At Victims of Illicit Drugs (VOID); this is more than
legislation. It's a deeply personal victory rooted in grief, love, and unwavering advocacy. Jaime Puerta, President and Co-Founder of VOID and Co-Chair of Facing Fentanyl Now, lost his 16½-year-old son Daniel to a counterfeit pill made with illicit fentanyl. He
shared: "The passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act is a turning point. My son Daniel's life was stolen by deception, and far too many other families share that same heartbreak. Today, we honor them. This law gives law enforcement a better chance to stop
these deadly substances before they reach our children. It says: we hear you, and we will not let your loss be in vain." Steve Filson, Co-Founder of VOID and devoted advocate, echoed the sentiment: "This day belongs to the families. For too long, we stood outside the halls of power, holding pictures of our children, begging for action. Now, our stories have shaped policy. But this is only the beginning. Education, prevention, and accountability must follow. Our mission doesn't stop here—it only
grows stronger." Andrea Thomas, Founder of Facing Fentanyl Now, who lost her daughter
Ashley to illicit fentanyl, emphasized the emotional depth of this moment: "This is a moment of truth. The HALT Fentanyl Act acknowledges that what took our children's lives was not a mistake—it was a crime. For years, parents like me have screamed
into the void, trying to get people to understand the scale of this emergency. Today, our voices were heard in Congress. But this is just the start—we need to educate the public, protect our youth, and demand a national response worthy of the lives already lost." The HALT Fentanyl Act equips law enforcement with the power to act swiftly against fentanyl-related substances and their evolving chemical analogs. But even more importantly, it sends a clear message: the lives lost to illicit fentanyl mattered, and our government is finally beginning to act accordingly. VOID will continue to fight for what must come next—mandatory fentanyl education in schools, wider access to life-saving interventions like naloxone, parental awareness, real-time overdose reporting, and stronger national prevention campaigns. "This bill is not the end," said Puerta. "It is the foundation. Now, we build a system that protects instead of punishes, that informs instead of ignores, and that values every life." To the
countless families who turned grief into action—this moment is yours. And to the loved ones we've lost: we will never stop speaking your names.
Regards,
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