Representative Brittany Pettersen

Dear [firstname],

This week, my mom is celebrating being in recovery for 6 years, and I couldn't be more proud. Like far too many Americans, she was overprescribed opioids after a back injury which led to a decades-long addiction, including the use of heroin and fentanyl. She is an example of what’s possible when we give people the resources and support they need. Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing. We should start treating it that way.

Inspired by my mom, I have made it my mission in Congress to address this public health crisis head-on, and I am proud of what we've been able to achieve so far. My first bill, the Stop the Import of Fentanyl Act, will create a National Center dedicated to combating the import and distribution of fentanyl and other drugs.

This center would be formed under the Drug Enforcement Administration and investigate how synthetic drugs come into the country. It would also create a strategic plan for breaking up the synthetic drug trade, track the movements of drug traffickers, and serve as the central knowledge bank on drug trafficking organizations.This is crucial to tackling this public health crisis.

What do you think Congress should do to fight the opioid epidemic?

Fund treatment programs

Increase access to health care

Take down drug traffickers

Better regulate pharmaceutical companies

Stop the import of drugs

All of the above

Earlier this year, my Preventing the Financing of Illegal Synthetic Drugs Act passed the House. I introduced this bipartisan legislation with Republican Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz of Texas to help shed light on the finances of drug trafficking organizations. Deaths involving synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine, increased by 22 percent in 2021 and continue to rise in the U.S. and globally. Stopping the organizations that traffic drugs into our communities is an important first step in reversing these current trends.

Click here or above to watch a speech I gave on the House floor about the opioid crisis

As long as I’m in Congress, I will continue to fight this public health epidemic and work on legislation to protect American families. To stay up to date on everything I'm doing for you in Congress, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Thank you for reading,

Brittany Pettersen
Member of Congress

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