My daughter died from a counterfeit fentanyl pill. Prop. 36 will hold drug dealers accountable
As the father of Alexandra Capelouto, I have spent years raising awareness about the fentanyl poisoning crisis—a crisis that claimed the life of my daughter and countless others. Alexandra was a 20-year-old college student who made the tragic mistake of purchasing what she believed was the prescription painkiller Oxycodone. However, the pill she received was counterfeit, made with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Alexandra never had a chance. While her decision wasn’t wise, it wasn’t evil. The true evil lies with the drug dealer who profited off her life by selling a deadly counterfeit pill.
This tragedy is not isolated. Families across California and the nation are devastated by similar stories. How many more lives must be lost before we take meaningful action?
I am not driven by political party lines. I am a father who has endured unimaginable loss, like so many other parents devastated by the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45, and California leads the nation in fentanyl deaths. These deaths are senseless and preventable. Each fentanyl death represents a failure in policy.
In response to Alexandra’s death, we introduced Alexandra’s Law, modeled after the Watson Admonishment given to DUI offenders. The Watson Admonishment warns DUI offenders that if they continue to drive drunk and cause a death, they could be charged with murder. This warning has proven to save lives. Alexandra’s Law seeks to do the same for drug dealers. It would admonish convicted drug dealers, warning them that if they continue selling fentanyl and someone dies, they could face murder charges.
Despite repeated efforts, the California Legislature rejected Alexandra’s Law. No one in the Public Safety committees provided a sound argument against warning fentanyl dealers about the consequences of their actions.
Some critics argue that laws like Alexandra’s Law might deter people from calling for help during an overdose out of fear of being arrested. This is a dangerous fallacy. We’re not targeting bystanders who call for help; we’re focusing on convicted drug dealers—those who know the risks yet continue to sell deadly substances.
Every day we delay passing Alexandra’s Law, more families are shattered by fentanyl poisoning. Proposition 36, now before California voters, is a direct response to the Legislature’s inaction.
Proposition 36 not only includes Alexandra’s Law but also addresses homelessness, addiction and retail theft, all of which are interconnected with the fentanyl epidemic. By voting yes on Proposition 36, we can hold fentanyl dealers accountable, protect communities, and address the root causes of addiction.
Opponents claim that implementing Prop 36 will cost taxpayers millions. Yet, they ignore the staggering economic costs of lives cut short by fentanyl poisoning. Every death represents not only a tragic loss of life but also lost future economic productivity and potential tax contributions. Failing to act is far more costly in the long run—emergency responses, hospitalizations, law enforcement, and social services strain our resources. The cost of holding drug dealers accountable pales in comparison.
It is disgraceful that Sacramento leadership puts a dollar value on our children’s lives while ignoring the financial toll of the fentanyl crisis. By failing to deter drug dealers, we allow this cycle to continue.
Passing Alexandra’s Law and Proposition 36 is not only about saving lives; it’s about making California safer. Reducing the death toll from fentanyl means protecting our children and communities. If Proposition 36 passes, California will lead the nation with the first drug dealer admonishment law. We can go from being the leader in fentanyl deaths to the leader in curbing the fentanyl crisis.
I urge all Californians to vote yes on Proposition 36 this November. It is time to take action into our own hands and send a clear message to drug dealers: if you continue to distribute fentanyl and someone dies, you will be held accountable. By voting yes on Proposition 36, we can save lives and help individuals struggling with addiction.
Matt Capelouto is president of Stop Drug Homicide and father of Alexandra Capelouto. He can be reached at matt@stopdrughomicide.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: My daughter died from fentanyl. Prop. 36 will hold drug dealers accountable