Jelly Roll Asks Congress for Stronger Anti-Fentanyl Legislation

Rapper-turned-country singer Jelly Roll, also known as Jason DeFord, took the stage at a Senate hearing on Thursday to address the pressing issue of the fentanyl crisis, according to CBS News.

Testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, chaired by Democratic Sen.

Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Jelly Roll, urged Congress to pass the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act.

Having spent a significant part of his youth entangled in drug-related activities, Jelly Roll acknowledged his past mistakes and expressed a desire to be part of the solution.

"I was the uneducated man in the kitchen playing chemists with drugs I knew absolutely nothing about, just like these drug dealers are doing right now when they're mixing every drug on the market with fentanyl. And they're killing the people we love," he testified.

Sen. Brown highlighted the gravity of the situation, citing data indicating that 110,000 Americans lost their lives to unintentional drug overdoses in 2022.

Jelly Roll emphasized the daily toll, likening it to a packed 737 aircraft crashing every day.

He criticized the nation's attitude towards addiction.

"Because America has been known to bully and shame drug addicts instead of dealing and trying to understand what the actual root of the problem is with that," Jelly Roll said.

Jelly Roll's Push for FEND Off Fentanyl Act

Jelly Roll passionately urged Congress to pass the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, emphasizing the need for proactive measures, per USA Today.

"It is time for us to be proactive and not reactive," he urged.

Drawing on his personal experiences and the impact of the crisis on friends and family, he called for swift action before it was too late.

The Senate hearing followed Jelly Roll's appearance at the "Power to the Patients" event alongside rap favorites Fat Joe and Wyclef Jean.

The event at Washington DC's Hamilton Live performance venue aimed to advocate for an affordable and equitable healthcare system through increased price transparency.

Jelly Roll's impact extends beyond advocacy as he awaits the upcoming Grammy Awards on February 4.

He was Nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his collaboration with Lainey Wilson on "Save Me" and Best New Artist and expressed gratitude for the recognition. Reflecting on his dual representation of Music Row and his local community, he emphasized the importance of staying connected to his roots.

Fentanyl Crisis and Overdose Prevention

Provisional data indicates that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are predominant contributors to overdose deaths, with psychostimulants like methamphetamine following closely, CNN reports.

Dr. Katherine Keyes, a professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, emphasizes the unpredictable and dangerous nature of fentanyl, stating that even small amounts can rapidly induce an overdose.

The danger is heightened for individuals unaware that they are consuming fentanyl, emphasizing the need for awareness and education.

While some individuals may intentionally use fentanyl due to tolerance, others may unknowingly come into contact with it, increasing the risk of overdose, especially for those without opioid tolerance.

The approval of an over-the-counter version of naloxone, or Narcan, by the US Food and Drug Administration, is a significant step in addressing opioid overdoses.

Naloxone is an essential tool for reversing opioid overdoses, and its availability in stores and online provides broader access.

However, Dr. Keyes stresses that while naloxone is crucial for overdose reversal, it is not the sole solution.

She likens it to treating a broken leg at the hospital. She underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to opioid overdose prevention, encompassing education, awareness, and other preventative measures.

The goal is not just to have the means to address overdoses but also to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Watch Jelly Roll deliver testimony at Senate hearing on fentanyl bill - From ABC News