This resolution supports National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025 to increase public awareness about the deadly impact of counterfeit fentanyl pills, especially on young people.
Charles "Chuck" Grassley
Senator
IA
This resolution officially supports the mission of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025 to combat the deadly counterfeit pill crisis. It highlights the severe danger posed by fake pills containing lethal doses of fentanyl, which are increasingly accessible to young people. The bill aims to increase public awareness regarding this threat and applauds law enforcement efforts to stop the spread of illicit drugs.
Congress Backs Fentanyl Awareness Day 2025: Why the Counterfeit Pill Crisis Hits Close to Home
This resolution is the legislative equivalent of Congress saying, “Hey, this fake pill crisis is terrifying, and we need to talk about it.” It formally supports the mission of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025, specifically aiming to boost public and individual awareness about how devastating counterfeit fentanyl pills are to families and young people. While it doesn't create new laws or funding, it officially designates April 29, 2025, as the awareness day and uses the platform to lay out the cold, hard facts about the crisis.
The Alarming Math of the Counterfeit Crisis
If you’re wondering why Congress is making noise about awareness, look at the numbers they cite. Law enforcement seized 60 million fake pills in 2024 alone. These aren't just street drugs; they are pills made to look exactly like real prescription meds—like Adderall, Xanax, or Oxycodone—but they are laced with illicit fentanyl. The resolution notes that half of the fentanyl pills tested contain a potentially lethal dose (at least 2 milligrams). Think about your kid or a co-worker trying to buy a study aid or anxiety pill online; they are playing Russian roulette with drugs that are indistinguishable from the real deal. The sheer scale of the 2024 seizures—enough fentanyl for over 377 million lethal doses—shows why this isn't just a local problem anymore.
Who’s Getting Hit Hardest?
This resolution spotlights the impact on young people, and the statistics are grim. For those aged 15 to 35, drug-induced deaths have quintupled over the last two decades, driven largely by fentanyl. For teens aged 14 to 18, overdose deaths shot up by 128% between 2019 and 2021, with fentanyl-related deaths in that group spiking a staggering 236%. This is a direct consequence of counterfeit pills being readily available on social media and e-commerce sites, making the danger easily accessible to anyone with a smartphone. The biggest challenge? The resolution points out that only about 55% of teens feel knowledgeable about fentanyl being used in counterfeit pills, which means awareness campaigns are critically needed to close that knowledge gap.
Giving a Nod to the Front Lines
Beyond setting the date and sounding the alarm, the resolution takes a moment to applaud Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies for their efforts in fighting the spread of these pills. It also encourages all authorities to use their existing powers to actively stop and prevent the proliferation of counterfeit pills. For the people working the front lines—from DEA agents seizing massive quantities to local police responding to overdoses—this resolution offers a formal recognition of the intense and often dangerous work they are doing to keep these lethal pills off the streets and out of our communities.