Grassley, Shaheen Highlight Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA– In honor of Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) are leading efforts to highlight the dangers of fentanyl and how Americans can best protect themselves from the deadly drug. Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed the legislators’ bipartisan resolution designating August 21, 2025, as Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.
“Too many families know the pain of losing a loved one to fentanyl,”Grassley said. “Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day demonstrates Congress’ continuing resolve to keep this public health crisis on the nation’s radar and put an end to our nation's fentanyl epidemic, as well as underscore the importance of local awareness and prevention efforts.”
“I’m glad the Senate came together earlier this month to unanimously pass our bipartisan resolution designating today, August 21, as National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day,”Shaheen said.“There’s always more work to be done to address the substance use crisis and prevent more Granite Staters from dying of drug overdoses. As we continue advancing solutions that will save lives, it’s imperative that we keep spreading awareness about the very real dangers of the fentanyl crisis.”
Read the full resolutionHERE.
Video of Grassley discussing Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is availableHERE.
Background:
Fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid. In 2024, the rates of illicit fentanyl overdose in America reached historic highs, with fentanyl overdose being the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18 to 45.
This year, Grassley secured several major victories in the fight against illicit fentanyl. In January, he introduced theHalt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Actalongside Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) to permanently classify illicit, fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I. Grassley successfully shepherded the billthrough theSenate Judiciary Committeein February and thefull Senatein March. TheHALT Fentanyl Actthenpassedthe House of Representatives in June and wassigned into lawby President Donald Trump in July. Grassley alsopassed additional fundingfor federal efforts to combat drug trafficking and precursor chemicals, held a Senate Judiciary Committeehearingon the dangers of fentanyl andintroduced legislationto stem drug trafficking on social media.
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