Reps. Fry and Gallego to introduce bipartisan bill to help address the fentanyl crisis

It also would provide information on what actions the federal government could take to mitigate the burden of the fentanyl crisis on the states and address it efficiently.

“To combat the fentanyl crisis effectively, we need to understand the full scope of the problem,” Gallego said in a statement. “By reporting on the impacts of the fentanyl crisis on the labor market, health programs, housing, and more, the Fentanyl Crisis Research and Evaluation Act will give Congress the information we need to mitigate the burden on states and the American people. I’m proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis with Rep. Fry to introduce this bill.”

Overdose deaths have risen over the past three years, hitting a new high of 109,680 overdose deaths in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021 that involved synthetic opioids other than methadone, primarily fentanyl.

“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug our country has faced, and it has taken the lives of too many Americans,” Fry said in a statement. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will give the federal government a deeper understanding of the implications of this ongoing crisis. There is no other study that includes the specific information that this legislation requires. It’s important for lawmakers to understand the effects of this deadly drug on our country so we can pinpoint solutions to address it.”