Friend, people from all walks of life are rightfully worried about fentanyl and the overdose crisis. Our elected leaders should address Americans’ concerns by prioritizing policies that that save lives and give people who are struggling a chance at recovery. But both Congress and the Trump administration are shamefully moving in the opposite direction. 

I’m disappointed to share that the U.S. Senate just passed the destructive HALT Fentanyl Act. Now it heads back to the House for a procedural vote where it’s expected to pass again and then it will advance to President Trump who is expected to sign it into law.  

Despite this setback, we will continue to demand that our federal leaders embrace health approaches that are proven to save lives and give people the services and support they desperately need. We’re counting on your continued support to keep up the fight: donate now to help us advocate for health interventions that keep people safe from fentanyl and overdose. 

This counterproductive bill blocks research that could uncover new lifesaving overdose treatments by permanently classifying all fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I without testing for medical benefits. It also expands mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl-related substances – harsh penalties that will allow for unjust sentences that do not consider individual circumstances and divert resources away from health interventions that are desperately needed to curb the fentanyl fueled overdose crisis. When a previous version of this policy was passed in 2018, overdose deaths went up by 60% over four years! 

Now overdose deaths are decreasing due to health and harm reduction interventions. This includes expanded access to evidence-based treatment and overdose prevention tools like naloxone which can reverse opioid/fentanyl overdose, fentanyl test strips which can detect fentanyl in drugs, and medications for opioid use disorder which can cut overdose risk in half and reduce cravings so people can stay alive and have a shot at recovery.   

But Congress and the Trump administration are poised to make catastrophic funding cuts to these essential health and addiction services to prioritize immigration enforcement—to the tune of $2 trillion.  

All the lifesaving interventions proven to prevent overdose and help people struggling with drugs like fentanyl are on the chopping block. Donate now to aid our fight for addiction treatment and health services that help people stay alive, be safe, and recover. 

Americans believe in second chances and recovery, but that is only possible if people are alive. We are grateful for supporters like you and our broad coalition including parents, law enforcement, and public health organizations that have worked tirelessly to oppose this bill. And who continue to unite with us in pushing lawmakers to prioritize the health approaches to fentanyl and the overdose crisis that save lives.