Congresswoman Pettersen Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Designate Overdose Awareness Day Ahead of National Recovery Month

Today, as co-chairs of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), alongside Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), introduced a resolution designating August 31st as Overdose Awareness Day. The Task Force intends to increase awareness of the continued overdose crisis, honor the lives lost, and pledge action to curb it. Pettersen’s family, like too many families in Colorado, has been personally affected by the opioid crisis – with her mom celebrating nine years in recovery. According to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health , more than 1,700 Coloradans tragically passed from drug overdoses in 2025. “Far too many American families, including my own, have felt the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic. In the fight to save my mom’s life, I realized just how broken our health care system was. She was one of the lucky ones, and my mom was able to get the help she needed, but everyone doesn’t get that chance,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “Deaths from overdose are preventable, and passing this resolution will help us continue to reduce stigma and better confront this crisis. I’m proud to have passed previous legislation that will give real support to those who need it, but we need to do so much more. Congress needs to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services, so fewer families are left with an empty chair at the dinner table because of this crisis.” “Far too many families in the Commonwealth and across our country know the devastating pain of losing a loved one to an overdose. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure every person affected by addiction knows that they are not alone,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan “Addiction doesn’t check party affiliation or nationality. It strikes in silence and no family should be forced to fight it alone. By formally recognizing Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the lives lost to addiction and honor the families and communities impacted by this crisis. We must continue working to reduce stigma and expand access to lifesaving treatment and care.” “Much of what guides my work in Congress on addiction and recovery has been shaped by sitting across the table from families whose lives have been forever altered by this crisis, and by working alongside the first responders, treatment providers, advocates, and community leaders who devote themselves every day to saving lives and helping people rebuild theirs,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “There is no single policy that will solve this crisis, and no place for partisanship when lives are at stake. But together, we can continue to make meaningful progress by strengthening prevention, expanding education and awareness, improving access to treatment and sustained recovery, and confronting the deadly threat of illicit fentanyl. With this resolution, we remember those we have lost, stand with the families who carry their absence, and renew our resolve to prevent the next loss.” The bipartisan resolution honors the lives lost to overdose and strengthens prevention, treatment, harm-reduction, and recovery services. It also calls for continued collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, health care providers, community organizations, businesses, patients, and families to prevent overdoses and support those affected by substance use disorder. In 2025, nearly 70,000 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose, a decrease of almost 14% from the 81,313 deaths estimated in 2024. It was the third straight annual drop, making it the longest decline in decades and a return to pre COVID-19 levels. However, fentanyl and other illicit synthetic opioids continue to fuel the overdose epidemic. Congresswoman Pettersen has been a leading voice in Congress on addressing the opioid crisis and expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Inspired by her own mother’s struggle, Pettersen has fought for legislation to prevent the import of illicit drugs, crack down on drug traffickers and their financing operations, and prevent overdose deaths by ensuring airplanes, law enforcement, and hospitals are able to distribute naloxone when necessary. In 2025, Rep. Pettersen worked with Reps. Trahan and Fitzpatrick on bipartisan legislation recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day . Pettersen’s SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act was passed by Congress and became law. This bill strengthens funding for critical prevention, treatment, and recovery substance use disorder programs. Pettersen also introduced the HANDS Act , which aims to prevent overdose deaths and limit financial burden on patients by providing no-cost opioid overdose reversal drugs to those who need them. Pettersen is also a co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force , a coalition of over 100 members from both parties that work together to advance evidence-based policies that address the root causes and impacts of the mental health and addiction crises.