Autism advocates urge Glendale to act on underage vaping after local fentanyl‑linked deaths
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Summary
Speakers from Sounds of Autism asked Glendale council to strengthen enforcement and raise the sale age for vaping products, citing three fentanyl‑linked deaths of individuals on the autism spectrum and data they say show many underage vapers obtain products from retail sources.
Glendale, Ariz. — During citizens’ comments at the May 27 council meeting, representatives of Sounds of Autism urged the City Council to address underage vaping and to increase enforcement of retail sales, citing three deaths of people on the autism spectrum they said were linked to fentanyl in vaping products.
Cricket Barrientos, founder of Sounds of Autism, said her nonprofit (based in Goodyear) works with families from prenatal stages through adulthood and that since 2020 the organization has lost three individuals on the autism spectrum to fentanyl overdoses resulting from vaping. "Our mission statement is to safely integrate children and families of autism and others at risk back into society unconditionally through love and support," Barrientos told the council.
Jamie Aldama, executive director with Sounds of Autism and a Glendale resident, urged increased enforcement of retail sellers and suggested raising the legal purchase age from 18 to 21. Aldama cited a study during his remarks and said, "43 percent of underage vaping individuals reported getting their vape product and their vapes from retail sources like gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores." He asked the council how the organization could partner with city agencies and law enforcement to prevent underage vaping in Glendale schools, parks and neighborhoods.
Barrientos and Aldama asked council members to continue supporting families affected by autism and to consider policy or enforcement steps to reduce underage access to vaping products. Council members did not take action during the meeting; the remarks were recorded as citizens' comments.
