We Can’t Lose Ground in the Fight Against Fentanyl

 As we make real progress in addressing the fentanyl crisis — through landmark provisions like the de minimis closure and the bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act—we must not lose sight of the critical infrastructure backbone that makes this progress possible. 

 Recent Policy Wins: 

1. De minimis provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Shatterproof fiercely advocated for this bipartisan measure that permanently closes a loophole that allowed low-value international packages to enter the U.S. with minimal inspection. Effective July 1, 2027, it will curb a key channel traffickers have used to smuggle fentanyl precursors.  
2. HALT Fentanyl Act: Passed overwhelmingly by Congress and just signed by the President, this law permanently classifies all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I. It grants DEA stronger enforcement powers to keep up with fentanyl traffickers. 

But We’re Losing Momentum on Critical Infrastructure: 

Despite these advances, several key public health and safety infrastructure pieces are still at risk: 

• $140 million in opioid/fentanyl overdose grants through CDC’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program need to be funded fully for both FY2025 and 2026. These funds support essential capabilities: data collection on overdoses, public health surveillance, community interventions, and technical assistance to health departments across 49 states and Washington, D.C. 
• Restore full funding for critical programs like the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and improve the treatment locator (findtreatment.gov) with meaningful quality metrics.  
• Provide $30 million for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program to train addiction medicine and psychiatry specialists.  
• Restore $109 million for the Drug-Free Communities program to support local prevention efforts.  
• Fund a national public awareness campaign on preventing drug use and supporting mental health with $50 million annually. 

Without these investments, we risk unraveling the systems that make policy enforcement meaningful and safe. Evidence shows OD2A-sponsored programs have been directly linked to reductions in overdose deaths—any interruption could lead to sharp increases in mortality rates. 

YOU Can Help: 

Now more than ever, we need your voice to ensure full funding of addiction treatment and prevention programs. Shatterproof’s petition urges Congress and the administration to: 

• Fully fund CDC’s OD2A and state/local health departments; 
• Support public health surveillance and data systems; 
• Provide sustained technical assistance to front-line responders. 

Every signature demonstrates public support for a proven, infrastructure-based approach to the fentanyl crisis — one that doesn’t just curb supply but saves lives.