As the opioid crisis tightens its grip worldwide, the Philippines finds itself at the forefront of a new battle: the fight against Fentanyl abuse. With a former president allegedly exhibiting the telltale signs of addiction, the need for awareness has never been more pressing. Instituting a Fentanyl Awareness Day akin to the U.S.’s initiative is not just a suggestion but a necessity.

Just as the war on drugs rallied national attention, so too must we mobilize against this insidious threat, which corrodes not only individual lives but the very fabric of our society. From shattered relationships to weakened governance, Fentanyl’s reach knows no bounds.

It’s time for Senator Bato de la Rosa and lawmakers to shift their focus from the streets to the pharmacy shelves, initiating hearings and legislation to combat this silent epidemic before it claims more victims. The clock is ticking, and ignorance is no longer an option.

All this, in the name of “in aid of legislation.”