Pappas Statement on National Fentanyl Awareness Day

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement in light of National Fentanyl Awareness Day:

"New Hampshire families have been devastated by the addiction epidemic, and we know fentanyl and synthetic opioids have been linked to the vast majority of overdose deaths in our communities. After speaking with law enforcement, public health experts, and community advocates, it's clear that we must do more to get dangerous substances like fentanyl and its analogues out of our neighborhoods. That's why I've introduced legislation to hold traffickers accountable and ensure our neighbors suffering from addiction can access the care they need. Confronting this epidemic requires cooperation across all fronts. National Fentanyl Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and also reminds us of the work still needed to tackle this pressing public health challenge. I'm committed to doing all that I can to save lives and end this epidemic."

Pappas is an original co-sponsor of a resolution designating May 10, 2022, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

Background:

In March 2022, Pappas introduced legislation to increase penalties for drug dealers and strengthen the United States' efforts to stop the trafficking of illegal drugs, such as fentanyl, through the dark web.

Pappas also introduced the bipartisan Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act of 2022, or SAFE Act of 2022, to permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs to ensure law enforcement can keep them off the streets.

Pappas co-led the introduction of H.R. 7238, the Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act, to revise opioid treatment program criteria and to remove the requirement that patients must have been addicted for at least one year before being admitted for treatment.

Pappas is a cosponsor of H.R. 5382, the POWER Act, which would provide grants for law enforcement to purchase chemical screening devices to detect substances like illegal fentanyl.

In December 2021, legislation Pappas introduced, the Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act, passed the House. The legislation will require the CDC, OSHA, and other federal agencies to direct public awareness campaigns and training for first responders about the dangers of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

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