Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the Energy & Commerce’s Health Subcommittee, introduced bipartisan legislation to commemorate Overdose Awareness Day, a solemn day to honor those who have lost their lives to overdoses, destigmatize addiction and seeking treatment, and combat the addiction crisis.

“The addiction crisis has affected every single American in one way or another, and for far too many, it has resulted in the tragic death of a loved one,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The disease of addiction is a pain no family should be forced to fight alone, and it’s long past time we unite to combat the overdose epidemic plaguing our nation. By formally designating Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the countless lives lost to overdoses, and we recommit to the work ahead to reduce the stigma of addiction and expand access to lifesaving treatment.”

Since 1999, more than 932,000 individuals in the United States have died from a drug overdose. In 2020, overdose involving opioids killed nearly 69,000 people, with over 82% of these deaths involving synthetic opioids. The epidemic of substance use disorder and addiction-related deaths has impacted all socioeconomic groups, racial and ethnic groups, geographic regions, and ages in the country. Overdose deaths are preventable, and lives can be saved through increased awareness, effective prevention strategies, timely intervention, comprehensive treatment, and robust recovery support. The opioid crisis costs the United States an estimated annual economic burden of $1 trillion, encompassing health care costs, lost productivity, criminal justice expenditures, and social services, while devastating communities and families across the nation. 

Trahan introduced the Overdose Awareness Day Resolution to underscore the gravity of the crisis, as well as affirm Congress’s commitment to advancing bipartisan policies that reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and overdoses. Additionally, the resolution asks lawmakers to commit to collaborating with states, municipalities, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, patients, and families to establish a comprehensive system that promotes prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery from opioid use disorder.

Original cosponsors of the legislation introduced today include Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Timothy M. Kennedy (D-NY-26), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-4), James P. McGovern (D-MA-01), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Grace Napolitano (D-CA-31), Chris Pappas (D-NH-1), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-6), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), David Trone (D-MD-06), and Susan Wild (D-PA-07). 

Since her election to Congress in 2018, Trahan has spearheaded multiple efforts to combat the addiction crisis in Massachusetts and across the country. Trahan has used her position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee to introduce and successfully pass addiction legislation, most notably her bipartisan Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. After the bill cleared both the House and Senate chambers, President Joe Biden signed it into law at the end of 2022. As a member of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, Trahan worked with a group of bipartisan lawmakers to successfully push for expanded access to buprenorphine, a vitally important medication used for treating addiction. In 2022, Trahan secured $1.65 million in federal funding to support the creation of the Middlesex County Restoration Center, an effort led by Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian to create greater opportunities to divert individuals battling addiction and behavioral health conditions away from jails and emergency rooms and to immediate treatment.

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