Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) was joined by U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), and Addison McDowell (R-NC-06) in introducing bipartisan legislation recognizing April 29, 2026 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day in order to increase awareness about the growing threat of counterfeit fentanyl pills and their devastating impact on families and young people across the United States.

“The fentanyl-fueled overdose crisis is devastating families and communities in every corner of our country,” said Congresswoman Trahan, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “By establishing National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we not only honor the lives lost, but also shine a light on the urgent need for action. This bill is about raising awareness, saving lives, and reaffirming our commitment to ending this crisis.”

The resolution seeks to unite the public and policymakers in the fight against this deadly epidemic as fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise. In 2025 alone, law enforcement seized 47 million counterfeit pills, equating to over 369 million lethal doses.

“Like so many Americans, my family has been impacted by the opioid epidemic,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “My mom first became addicted to prescription opioids that led to a decades-long struggle, including heroin and fentanyl, but she’s one of the lucky ones. She finally got the medical care she desperately needed and will be celebrating 9 years in recovery this August and is an example of what’s possible. On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we increase awareness about the dangers of this drug to prevent further tragedies and make sure people like my mom aren't again left with nowhere to turn.”

“Counterfeit fentanyl is now the leading killer of young Americans, devastating families in every corner of our nation,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I’ve seen the human cost of this crisis firsthand. As Co-Chair and a founding member of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I’m working to turn awareness into action—stopping the flow of deadly counterfeit pills, strengthening prevention and enforcement, and saving lives. Recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day is a critical part of that mission and of building the national response this crisis demands.”

“Fentanyl-related overdoses and drug poisonings have had a devastating impact on communities across my home state of Colorado,” said Congressman Neguse.“In championing an effort to designate April 29th as National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we are not just bringing attention to this crisis but also sharing information and best practices for preventing the spread and sale of synthetic opioids—and, ultimately, fighting to save lives.”

“Last year, Congress acted on a number of key pieces of legislation aimed at combatting the fentanyl crisis. I was proud to stand with President Trump as he signed the major HALT Fentanyl Act into law,” said Congressman McDowell. “I lost my brother, Luke, to fentanyl at just 20 years old. I’ll keep fighting alongside anyone willing to take this on until no family has to endure the kind of loss mine did.”

Text of the resolution can be found HERE.

Trahan has been a leader in Congress in advancing bipartisan solutions to the addiction and mental health crises affecting millions of Americans. She spearheaded the passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act into law to require that prescribers of opioid medications had baseline training in addiction identification and treatment. She also introduced and passed the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act to strengthen community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts that were set to go offline. Earlier this year, in her role as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, she successfully led a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country.

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