Fitzpatrick Shares Story Of Local Opioid Overdose, Applauds President’s Executive Order

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick took to the floor of the House of Representatives this week to share a local story and applaud the executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which established the Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.

Fitzpatrick, a former drug crime federal prosecutor and certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), is a cosponsor of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Protection (STOP) Act [H.R. 1057] – legislation designed to help stop dangerous drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States. Fitzpatrick is also a member of both the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force and the Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus.

Fitzpatrick, in a effort to push for increased focus on the state’s opioid crisis, shared the story of Carlos Castellanos, a Falls Township man who lost his life to a drug overdose in 2016. Castellanos was one of 185 overdose associated deaths in the county just last year.

Castellanos, whose mother spoke at the White House last week, was a Pennsbuy High School graduate, who enjoyed playing the guitar and drums at school and for local church groups before getting involved in drugs and even spending some time in jail.

Things began looking up for Catellanos when he began receiving treatment and volunteering at a recovery house. Castellanos walked his mother down the aisle at her wedding in early December, had a steady job and girlfriend, and was getting ready to go back to school.

Weeks later, and just days before Christmas, two police detectives showed up at his mother’s door to tell her devastating news – Castellanos had overdosed on a drug laced with fentanyl and was unable to be saved.

“Mr. Speaker, Carlos’ life – and his death – cast a bright light on the fact that addiction is nothing short of a chronic disease,” said Fitzpatrick.

The congressman said that Castellanos’ tragic passing helps to emphasize one of the biggest issues plaguing the Bucks County area and the country as a whole.  

“The fact is, our nation’s opioid crisis transcends politics, and so must our response. I applaud the president’s executive order to investigate the roots of this epidemic and outline tangible actions we can take to fight back,” said Fitzpatrick. “Any response to this challenge must treat the whole person, not just the addiction. We must focus on the underlying issues driving people to seek opioids, while increasing the accessibility and affordability for prevention, education, treatment, and recovery of this disease.”