Press Releases

Today, Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force Co-Chairs Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07) introduced bipartisan legislation 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. 

“Far too many families in the Commonwealth and across our country know the devastating pain of losing a loved one to an overdose. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure every person affected by addiction knows that they are not alone,” said Congresswoman Trahan, a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. “Addiction doesn’t check party affiliation or nationality. It strikes in silence and no family should be forced to fight it alone. By formally recognizing Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the lives lost to addiction and honor the families and communities impacted by this crisis. We must continue working to reduce stigma and expand access to lifesaving treatment and care.”

“Much of what guides my work in Congress on addiction and recovery has been shaped by sitting across the table from families whose lives have been forever altered by this crisis, and by working alongside the first responders, treatment providers, advocates, and community leaders who devote themselves every day to saving lives and helping people rebuild theirs,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “There is no single policy that will solve this crisis, and no place for partisanship when lives are at stake. But together, we can continue to make meaningful progress by strengthening prevention, expanding education and awareness, improving access to treatment and sustained recovery, and confronting the deadly threat of illicit fentanyl. With this resolution, we remember those we have lost, stand with the families who carry their absence, and renew our resolve to prevent the next loss.”

“Far too many American families, including my own, have felt the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic. In the fight to save my mom’s life, I saw firsthand how broken our health care system was. But my mom was one of the lucky ones because after 30 years of struggling, she finally had access to the critical care she needed. Unfortunately, far too many people never get that same chance,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “Deaths from overdoses are preventable. The greatest barrier people face to treatment is the stigma that surrounds this medical disease. That’s why passing this resolution is an important step toward confronting the misunderstanding surrounding this crisis. Addiction isn’t a moral failing; it is a medical condition. I’m proud of the work I did in the legislature to expand access to lifesaving care, but Congress must take urgent action to prevent more families from unnecessarily losing a parent, a sibling, or a child to this disease.”

In addition to formally recognizing Overdose Awareness Day in the United States, the bipartisan legislation introduced today commits Congress to advancing and passing bipartisan policies that reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and overdoses and underscores Congress’ commitment to working with states and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, healthcare providers, patients, and families to support a comprehensive system that promotes prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery from opioid use disorder.

In 2025, nearly 70,000 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose, a decrease of almost 14% from the 81,313 deaths estimated in 2024. It was the third straight annual drop, making it the longest decline in decades and a return to pre-COVID-19 levels. However, fentanyl and other illicit synthetic opioids continue to fuel the overdose epidemic. 

In April, Trahan partnered with Representatives Fitzpatrick and Pettersen to introduce bipartisan legislation recognizing 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.

Since coming to Congress in 2019, Trahan has led 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, including her bipartisan Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. 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.

In 2024, Trahan also introduced bipartisan legislation to commemorate Overdose Awareness Day to honor those who have lost their lives to overdoses, destigmatize addiction and seek treatment, and combat the addiction crisis.

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