A resolution supporting National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025 to increase awareness of the dangers of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, particularly among young people.
Charles "Chuck" Grassley
Senator
IA
This resolution supports National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025 and aims to increase awareness of the dangers of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, particularly among young people. It acknowledges the alarming rise in fentanyl-related deaths and supports efforts to combat the spread of these deadly pills. The resolution designates April 29, 2025, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
Senate Resolution Backs National Fentanyl Awareness Day for April 29, 2025, Amidst Rising Fake Pill Dangers
This Senate resolution officially throws support behind the mission and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, setting the date for April 29, 2025. Its core purpose is to boost public understanding, particularly among families and young people, about the severe risks posed by counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
The Stark Reality Behind the Resolution
The resolution isn't just a symbolic gesture; it's grounded in alarming statistics. It highlights that drug traffickers are increasingly producing fake pills designed to mimic legitimate prescription medications, often containing lethal doses of fentanyl (as little as 2 milligrams). The numbers cited are sobering: 60 million counterfeit fentanyl pills seized by law enforcement in 2024, and total fentanyl seizures equivalent to over 377 million lethal doses. The human cost is starkly illustrated, with over 58,000 deaths involving illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids in the year ending October 2024. The resolution specifically points out the devastating impact on younger demographics, noting a 128% increase in overdose deaths for ages 14-18 between 2019 and 2021, with fentanyl-involved deaths in that group skyrocketing by 236%. Furthermore, it cites that in the year ending June 2023, illicit fentanyl was implicated in 81% of drug-induced deaths for those aged 14-23, while awareness remains low – only 65% of youth knew about fentanyl in fake pills in 2024.
What Support Looks Like
By passing this resolution, the Senate expresses formal backing for the awareness day's objectives: educating the public about these hidden dangers. It also specifically commends the ongoing work of law enforcement agencies battling the influx of counterfeit pills and encourages the use of existing authorities to curb their spread. Essentially, this resolution serves as an official acknowledgment of the fentanyl crisis's severity and a statement of support for educational and enforcement efforts aimed at protecting communities, especially the young.