Supporting the mission and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025, including increasing individual and public awareness of the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills on families and young people.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 359
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-18T17:31:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 359) aims to support the establishment and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025. It focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills—pills that look like legitimate prescription drugs but contain deadly amounts of fentanyl or other harmful substances—and their severe impact on families and young people in the United States.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble highlighting the fentanyl crisis, followed by four main supportive actions:
- Recognition of the awareness day: Endorses the day to increase public and individual understanding of how counterfeit fentanyl pills contribute to overdoses, especially among youth.
- Applause for law enforcement: Recognizes the efforts of federal, state, and local agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in combating the spread of these pills through seizures and testing.
- Encouragement of proactive measures: Urges the use of existing legal powers to prevent the distribution of illicit counterfeit pills.
- Official support for designation: Backs the formal naming of "National Fentanyl Awareness Day" to promote education and prevention.
The preamble provides statistics on the crisis, including:
- Over 60 million counterfeit pills with fentanyl seized in 2024, equivalent to hundreds of millions of lethal doses.
- More than 84,000 drug-induced deaths in the 12 months ending October 2024, with over 58,000 involving fentanyl.
- A sharp rise in youth overdoses, with fentanyl linked to 81% of drug deaths among 14- to 23-year-olds in the period ending June 2023.
- Low awareness levels, such as only 65% of youth knowing about fentanyl in counterfeit pills in 2024.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It does not create new regulations, funding, or penalties but instead expresses congressional support for awareness and ongoing enforcement efforts under current authorities.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Could increase public education about fentanyl risks, particularly for teens and families, potentially reducing accidental overdoses by highlighting how these pills are sold online and mimic real medications. It may encourage safer behaviors, like checking pill sources.
- On government agencies: Reinforces the role of agencies like the DEA in seizures and testing, possibly boosting morale and public support for their work without adding new resources or mandates.
- On international relations: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly addresses cross-border drug trafficking (e.g., fentanyl from abroad) by supporting U.S. enforcement, which could align with international anti-drug efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Young people and families: Primary focus, as counterfeit pills target youth via social media and contribute to rising overdose rates among those under 35.
- Law enforcement and public health agencies: Federal (e.g., DEA), state, and local groups involved in drug seizures, testing, and prevention.
- The general public: Benefits from heightened awareness to avoid counterfeit drugs, which appear in all 50 states and mix with other illicit substances like cocaine or methamphetamine.
- Educators and online platforms: Indirectly encouraged to address accessibility of these pills on social media and e-commerce sites.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no enforceable effect and does not alter statutes or budgets. It promotes using "existing authorities," such as DEA powers under the Controlled Substances Act, without expanding them.
- Constitutional: No implications, as it falls within Congress's broad authority to express policy positions on public health issues without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) for addressing the opioid crisis, potentially influencing future legislation on drug policy or funding for awareness campaigns. It highlights the crisis's scale to build momentum for prevention without partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-29: Submitted in House
- 2025-04-29: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the mission and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025, including increasing individual and public awareness of the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills on families and young people. — issued 2025-04-29 — PDF (4 pages)