Q&A: Overdose Awareness Day

Q&A: Overdose Awareness Day

With U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley

Q: How are you working to help prevent overdose deaths?

A: From my 99 county meetings to constituent phone calls and emails to my Senate office, I hear from Iowans from all walks of life whose families and communities have been devastated by overdose deaths. A recent national study found 1 in 3 U.S. adults knows someone who has died of drug overdose. In 2023, fentanyl overdose was the number one cause of death among Americans age 18-45. I'm working at the policymaking tables to help end the path of destruction that leads to substance abuse and disorders, addiction and overdose deaths. It's an all too familiar story of loss that's ripping apart families, short-circuiting people's dreams and lowering productivity in society. The crisis requires a comprehensive, community-wide approach, including prevention, education, enforcement and treatment. In 2022, I helped steer into law the Rural Opioid Abuse Prevention Act that expanded access to recovery services for first responders in rural communities hardest hit by opioid crisis.

In this Congress, I'm leading the battle to fight the illegal production and deadly flow of fentanyl into the United States. The open border policies of this administration have allowed a dangerous pipeline of illicit drug trafficking to flow into communities across our country. From October 2023 to June 2024, Customs and Border Protection personnel seized more than 15,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl. Just imagine how much they missed given the administration's lax border enforcement policies. Consider that one pound of fentanyl has the potential to kill more than a quarter-million people. I'm pushing a bipartisan and bicameral effort to pass the DISPOSE Act that would responsibly monitor and facilitate U.S. collaboration with global partners, including Mexico, Colombia and Peru. Our legislation would ensure that seized precursor chemicals aren't allowed to be diverted into the illicit manufacturing of synthetic opioids. Seized precursor chemicals must be destroyed to stop fueling the poisonous pipeline that's killing a generation of Americans.

As the co-chair of the Senate Drug Caucus, I co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution observing Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day that unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. In an era of division and polarization, it's increasingly hard to find common ground. And yet, enough is enough: Too many families know the pain of losing a loved one to overdose deaths. More Americans need to understand the dangers and risks of drug use. Earlier this year, I chaired a Drug Caucus hearing to examine how the Federal Aviation Administration's lax registration process enabled drug cartels to exploit federal loopholes to pursue their criminal profiteering at the expense of American lives. During reauthorization of the federal aviation law, I worked successfully to tighten these gaps that cartels used to transport illicit drugs into the country. I'm also keeping my thumb on federal agencies to combat money laundering operations used by transnational crime rings to push their poison into communities across the nation.

Q: What signs should people look for to help save lives from overdose?

A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises Americans to be mindful what an overdose looks like. The life of a child, student, neighbor, parent or stranger may depend on it. It can be difficult to know for certain, don't hesitate to call 911 immediately. Never leave the individual alone. According to the CDC, look for the following signs: small, constricted "pinpoint pupils;" falling asleep or losing consciousness; slow, weak or no breathing; choking or gurgling sounds; limp body, cold and/or clammy skin; and discolored skin, especially in lips and nails. Naloxone can reverse an overdose from opioids. A few years ago, I helped steer the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act through Congress that expanded access to naloxone to law enforcement and first responders. The legislation required a certain portion of federal grant dollars to support rural areas where access to emergency healthcare can be limited. Iowans at my county meetings have voiced support for this program that has helped save lives in their communities. The Drug Enforcement Administration encourages Americans to clean out medicine cabinets to help prevent drug misuse. Drop off old, unneeded or unused medications at more than 16,500 locations in local communities. Find an everyday drop-off location near you. (https://www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day)

August 31 is observed as Overdose Awareness Day to celebrate those in recovery and remember those who have lost their lives to the overdose epidemic.

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