This Senate resolution supports naming February 23, 2025, through March 1, 2025, as "National Fentanyl Awareness Week." The text lists statistics and facts about fentanyl cited from government sources as of 2024. It cites an estimated 86,678 drug overdose deaths in the prior 12 months (August 2024), says fentanyl is about 50 times more potent than heroin, and notes that less than 2 milligrams can be deadly. The resolution states that traffickers make illicit fentanyl in secret factories in Mexico using chemicals mostly from China, that traffickers use fentanyl to make fake or counterfeit pills, and that fentanyl has been found mixed into other street drugs. It cites large 2024 seizures by the Drug Enforcement Administration (over 367,000,000 doses, including about 55,000,000 pills and 7,800 pounds of powder) and by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (more than 21,889 pounds in fiscal year 2024). The text also cites CDC data saying fentanyl-related poisonings are a leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45 and notes an 11.4 percent increase in overdose death rates for adults 65 and older from 2022 to 2023. The resolution applauds law enforcement and treatment and recovery organizations, encourages people to use only medications prescribed by a physician, and encourages anyone with substance use disorder to seek assistance.
The resolution designates the week of February 23–March 1, 2025 as National Fentanyl Awareness Week and highlights the dangers of fentanyl described in the text. It praises law enforcement and treatment groups, and it encourages people to take steps such as using only physician-prescribed medications and seeking help for substance use disorder. The text also warns that counterfeit pills and fentanyl in other drugs can be deadly and that laboratory testing is the only way to know pill or powder concentrations.
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The resolution emphasizes high overdose numbers, the extreme potency of fentanyl, large drug seizures, the presence of fentanyl in counterfeit pills and other street drugs, and warnings that traffickers target young people. It praises efforts by law enforcement and treatment organizations and encourages prevention and help-seeking actions.
No publicly available information.