Illicit fentanyl is truly a problem across the nation, and Hastings is unfortunately included in this crisis. The City has seen a number of local deaths that have resulted from fentanyl overdoses, and it is now the leading cause of death among people ages 18-45. State Representative Shane Hudella hopes legislation he is co-authoring will help.
100,000 Americans died of fentanyl overdoses in 2021, and illegal fentanyl is responsible for over 80% of those deaths, according to available data.
