SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The beautiful white rose bush that shades an angel statue in the back of Laura Collanton’s home brings joy and sorrow, as it was given to her when her 20-year-old son Spencer was tragically killed by fentanyl poisoning.
“Sometimes I’ll bring roses to another mom that’s lost a child and tell them it’s Spencer’s rose,” Collanton said. “I try to let it be more sweet than bitter.”
The mother of five has become a voice for education and awareness of fentanyl’s harm.
The California Department of Health reports 800 Californians under 25 died from the drug in 2021.
Collanton has been working with lawmakers on fentanyl policies and becoming certified in grief counseling.
She said she has been tracking the handful of fentanyl-related bills still working in what’s left of this year’s legislative session.
A couple of current bills on fentanyl would require insurance to cover an overdose reversal drug and greater coordination among all law enforcement agencies on fentanyl. Collanton hopes all will pass.
“I do, I really do,” Collanton said. “We have to stop the deaths. We have to have a multi-pronged approach. Like I said, not just accountability, but education, you know, access to treatment.”
With under four weeks left for legislation to head to the governor’s desk, the Capitol is a buzz with various groups trying to make their voices heard.
McGeorge School of Law professor Chris Micheli said it does look promising for several fentanyl bills.
“What you’re seeing is probably the least controversial fentanyl-related bills moving along,” Micheli said. “The ones that would have enhanced sentences and made them more serious crimes all failed passage in their policy committees.”
The fentanyl bills, along with a number of others, are being closely watched by many to see if they will head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for a signature.
With what’s been called the hot labor summer because of the many striking workforces, Micheli said that pressure had reached lawmakers.
“It’s probably the impetus for a bill that we have yet to see but it is coming, which would allow striking workers to claim unemployment insurance benefits,” he said.
Micheli also said he wouldn’t be surprised if California became the first state to introduce a caste law as its latest hearing saw little opposition.
“No one testified in opposition, as opposed to all the other hearings, only supporters where there,” Micheli said. “And as I said, the bill passed out with bi-partisan support, so it looks like potentially smooth sailing the rest of the way.”
Even if the bills on fentanyl ultimately fail or are vetoed, Collanton said she’ll continue to speak up for change.
“Through any means possible, right?” Collanton said. “Whether it’s coming alongside them [a fentanyl-affected family] in grief, advocating at the state level or educating our population or community, I’m very passionate about that. I’ll talk to anybody and share his [her son’s] story.”
It’s this type of drive Collanton said she has because saving just one life is more than enough reason to keep fighting.