By Matt Capelouto, President of Stop Drug Homicide
Dear Los Angeles Board of Supervisors,
I write to you today not only as a father but as an advocate for public safety, justice, and meaningful change in our fight against the drug-related deaths ravaging our state. My daughter, Alexandra Capelouto, was just 20 years old when she tragically lost her life due to fentanyl poisoning. She was a bright, compassionate young woman with her whole life ahead of her, but it was cut short by a counterfeit pill made with this deadly substance. Since her death, I have fought tirelessly for accountability and laws that would prevent other families from experiencing this unimaginable pain.
One of those efforts is Proposition 36, which includes a critical component: Alexandra’s Law. This law aims to hold drug dealers accountable by providing an admonishment—similar to the Watson Advisement given to DUI offenders—that if they continue selling deadly drugs like fentanyl, they can be charged with homicide if their actions result in death. Proposition 36 seeks to address not just the fentanyl epidemic but also the intertwined issues of drug addiction, homelessness, and retail theft.
Today, I oppose the motion by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis to block Proposition 36, as it not only undermines public safety but also perpetuates the very issues it claims to address. Addressing Misrepresentations about Prop 36 There has been significant misinformation surrounding Prop 36. Critics, including some members of the LA Board of Supervisors, argue that it is a return to “mass incarceration” and the “failed war on drugs.” This could not be further from the truth.
Prop 36 is not about locking people up indiscriminately. It is about accountability for those who knowingly distribute lethal substances. We are not targeting people suffering from addiction or small-time offenders; we are focusing on those who intentionally profit from poisoning others. Fentanyl has become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. In California alone, we lead the nation in fentanyl-related deaths. Yet, there are no adequate laws to hold dealers accountable when their actions result in death. How can we let that stand?
If Proposition 36 had been in place years ago, lives like Alexandra’s could have been saved. By warning drug dealers with a clear legal admonishment, Alexandra’s Law would have created a layer of deterrence and allowed law enforcement to bring justice to those who knowingly distribute deadly
drugs. Instead of focusing on stopping the rise of fentanyl-related deaths, some of our elected leaders are choosing to politicize the issue.
The Failure of Status Quo Policies
The status quo approach, represented by Supervisors Mitchell and Solis’ motion, has failed us. While Supervisor Solis and others champion their “record-breaking drug seizures,” these statistics ring hollow when families like mine are still burying their loved ones due to fentanyl poisoning. Record drug
seizures are not a measure of success when California continues to lead the nation in fentanyl deaths.
Proposition 36 is a comprehensive solution. It acknowledges that our state’s drug crisis is multifaceted, impacting everything from homelessness to retail theft, and requires both preventative and punitive measures. While it holds drug dealers accountable, it also offers support for individuals
caught in the cycle of addiction by expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation programs.
It’s clear that current policies have not been effective in curbing the drug crisis, especially the rise of fentanyl deaths. Those opposing Prop 36, like Supervisors Mitchell and Solis, offer no real solutions—just rhetoric that repeats the failures of the past.
Addressing the Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms
At its core, Proposition 36 is about addressing the root causes of the problems plaguing our state. Homelessness, drug addiction, and crime are all deeply intertwined, and Prop 36 recognizes that a solution must be holistic. The motion to oppose Prop 36 by Supervisors Mitchell and Solis disregards
the real impact these issues are having on our communities.
Without intervention, our cities will continue to suffer. Homelessness will rise, drug addiction will go untreated, and public safety will deteriorate further. Proposition 36 offers a path forward, one that balances accountability with compassion. It offers resources for addiction treatment, mental health services, and rehabilitation, while ensuring that those who prey on vulnerable individuals by dealing deadly drugs like fentanyl face justice.
How can we ignore the consequences of inaction? As the father of a victim, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of these issues. I have also seen how the lack of appropriate legal frameworks allows those responsible for spreading this deadly epidemic to escape accountability.
Alexandra’s Law: A Lifesaving Measure
When Alexandra’s Law was first introduced in the California Legislature four years ago, it could have saved countless lives had it been passed. Instead, it was stalled by the Public Safety Committees, and the death toll from fentanyl continued to rise.
Alexandra’s Law is a simple yet powerful measure. By providing an official admonishment to drug offenders, it sends a clear message: if you continue selling lethal substances like fentanyl, you will be held responsible for the consequences. This is not about punishing addiction; it is about holding
accountable those who make a business of death. The Watson Admonishment for DUI offenders has been proven to reduce repeat offenses and save lives. There is no reason why a similar approach for drug dealers cannot have the same effect.
The failure to pass Alexandra’s Law in the past is a tragedy. Its inclusion in Proposition 36 gives California another chance to do the right thing—before more families suffer the same fate as mine.
A Call to Action for the LA Board of Supervisors
I urge the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to reconsider their position. The motion to oppose Proposition 36 is not just a mistake—it is a profound disservice to the people of California. We cannot afford to continue down the same path of inaction and ineffective policies. Fentanyl is killing thousands of Californians, and we need laws that reflect the gravity of this crisis.
Proposition 36, and specifically Alexandra’s Law, offers a balanced, humane, and necessary approach to tackling the most pressing public safety issues facing our state.
I implore you, as elected leaders, to listen to the voices of the families who have lost loved ones. I implore you to act on behalf of the communities you serve, who are counting on you to protect them from this epidemic.
For the sake of every family who has suffered from this crisis and for the future safety of Californians, I ask you to oppose the motion against Proposition 36 and support a safer, more accountable future
for our state.
Sincerely,
Matt Capelouto
Father of Alexandra Capelouto
Proponent of Alexandra’s Law and Advocate for Proposition 36
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