Week of Overdose Prevention, 2025: Focus on Reducing Overdose Deaths
In a significant move, President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed August 31 through September 6, 2025, as Overdose Prevention Week in the United States. The proclamation, signed on the 28th day of August, 2025, comes amidst a devastating drug overdose crisis that has claimed over 80,000 American lives over the past year.
The proclamation emphasizes the Administration's commitment to protecting citizens, defending communities, and ensuring the American people are happy, healthy, and free. The President has declared a commitment to ending the drug overdose crisis and called for concrete follow-up activities to combat this issue.
Entire neighborhoods have been affected by unconscionable grief and sorrow due to drug overdose deaths. Parents have been absent from dinner tables, and children have vanished from classrooms due to this tragic loss. The proclamation urges Americans to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities that raise awareness about the prescription opioid and drug overdose epidemic.
The HALT Fentanyl Act, which classifies fentanyl-related compounds as Schedule I drugs, was signed into law earlier this year. However, the proclamation does not mention any new measures to combat drug traffickers or cartels, nor does it mention any new laws or actions.
The proclamation does focus on awareness and follow-up activities during Overdose Prevention Week. It does not mention any new measures to expand the southern border wall or deport violent drug traffickers, although the One Big Beautiful Bill, which expands the southern border wall, has been passed.
In a separate development, cartels have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Violent drug traffickers are being deported, but these actions are not specifically mentioned in the proclamation.
The proclamation states that the American inheritance depends on freedom from danger, freedom from harm, and freedom to lead long, safe, and vigorous lives. As the nation observes Overdose Prevention Week, it is a reminder of the urgent need to address the drug overdose crisis and work towards a safer, healthier America.
