Assemblyman Keith P. Brown (R,C-Northport) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers today to support the introduction of Assembly Bill A.8540, the Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act—a comprehensive proposal to combat the fentanyl crisis through education, prevention and mental health support in New York’s schools. Sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks), the bill would require the creation of a statewide Fentanyl Education, Awareness and Recognition Program for students in grades six through 12 across all public, private and charter schools.

For Assemblyman Brown, this crisis is deeply personal.

“Four weeks shy of his 20th birthday, my nephew Jesse Romanasky died from a fentanyl overdose,” Brown said. “Jesse wasn’t some nameless case, he was a real kid. He worked at UPS, refereed youth soccer games on the weekends and took college classes at night. But like too many kids, his path to substance use started young—vaping at 14, marijuana at 15, pill parties by 16 and then hard drugs at 18. Two years later, he was gone.”

Brown shared that his sister believes Jesse suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder, something they came to understand too late. That’s why he is calling for the bill to go beyond drug warnings and incorporate real mental health education and emotional skill-building into school curriculums.

“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, anxiety and stress, the things that so often drive kids toward dangerous substances in the first place,” said Brown. “Schools must teach emotional coping skills, stress management and where to go for help when life feels overwhelming.”

The Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act mandates:

• Age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and synthetic opioids,
• Naloxone (Narcan) training and distribution in schools,
• The inclusion of bereaved parents to share personal stories and humanize the crisis,
• A requirement for the Departments of Education and Health to jointly develop and implement the curriculum,
• State funding for educator training, curriculum development and naloxone access.

Brown is advocating for schools to go further by incorporating:

• Mental health education that helps students recognize emotional distress in themselves and others,
• Coping strategies for managing stress, peer pressure and trauma,
• Empathy-based learning to help students understand the broader consequences of their actions and how substance abuse can devastate families and communities.

“Jesse was loved deeply. And when we lost him, it didn’t just take one life, it shattered so many others,” Brown said. “Our children deserve to understand the risks and realities. But they also deserve support, compassion and tools to navigate a very complicated world.”

“I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill. For Jesse. For every student who still has a chance. Let’s act now, and let’s save lives.”