WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led a group of her Democratic colleagues in calling on House and Appropriations Committee leadership to prioritize President Biden’s requested funding to address the opioid crisis, especially the influx of fentanyl, in any government funding package that is brought to the floor. Pettersen was joined in sending the letter by Representatives David Trone (MD-06), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), and Scott Peters (CA-50).
The United States is currently in the third wave of the opioid overdose epidemic, defined by the rise in synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. With more than 83,000 Americans dying from opioid overdoses last year, President Biden’s supplemental funding requests aim to address this devastating trend by cracking down on drug trafficking and disrupting the flow of fentanyl into the United States, as well as increasing access to substance use disorder treatment and expanding recovery support services to those who need help.
“An American loses their life from drug overdose every five minutes – a senseless tragedy,” the members wrote. “This epidemic is dire but preventable. Congress must unify and fund these essential services to reverse and counteract fentanyl overdoses and crime. This funding would build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.”
Inspired by her own mother’s struggle with a substance use disorder, Pettersen has been leading the fight against the opioid epidemic for a decade in the Colorado state legislature and now in Congress. Since January, she has introduced measures to combat this public health crisis and address everything from the import of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the financing of drug cartels, expanding access to treatment, and preventing overdose deaths by ensuring airplanes, law enforcement, and hospitals are able to distribute naloxone when necessary.
