While a host of prominent Republicans have long railed against the steady flow of fentanyl into the United States across the porous southern border, Democrats have generally been reluctant to endorse any security measures that might help stem the tide.
In recent months, however, the emergency of brightly colored pills has raised new concerns that children could be tempted to take the potentially deadly opioid.
Mexican drug cartels are strategically flooding our communities with deadly fentanyl disguised as prescription medicine and even candy.
Together, we can protect our children and loved ones from making a deadly decision. #OnePillKills pic.twitter.com/9CCXYn8G82
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 30, 2022
Even Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke out against the troubling trend earlier this year, explaining: “Simply put, it is not candy. They don’t tell the kids it’s candy, but they say, ‘Oh, this will give you a great high.’ And it looks innocent, so the kids are far more likely to take it.”
Now, a California family is addressing yet another frightening issue related to the influx of fentanyl after a 10-month-old baby inadvertently ingested the drug he found while at a park with his nanny.
According to Ivan and Kerina Matkovic, young Senna was at Moscone Park in San Francisco earlier this week when his nanny, Wendy Marroqui, recognized that he seemed to be losing consciousness.
“I saw his face and he was like dizzy,” the nanny said. “I thought he was not breathing.”
After jostling the child and administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Marroqui called 911. A short time later, first responders arrived at the park and recognized the symptoms.
By the time Senna’s father arrived at the scene, paramedics had provided the child with a treatment used to prevent overdose deaths. Fortunately, the rapid response was effective and the child received additional treatment at an area hospital.
“You know those first responders just saved my son’s life,” Ivan Matkovic said. “We’re just so lucky that we got the guy we got.”
As of the latest reports available, authorities said they were still investigating the situation — but the relieved parents wasted no time sharing their story with others who might be in a similar situation.
“We came out of it with a positive story, and we can tell other people to be aware that this is a risk,” the father advised.
Last month, Republican lawmakers in Illinois responded to that state’s spike in fentanyl-related overdoses by pushing for tougher penalties for individuals convicted of selling the dangerous drug.
