What to know
- Tuesday, April 29th marks the fourth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
- This observance was founded by parents who have tragically lost loved ones to the drug overdose crisis.
- We invite you to take action and help us share the message: illegal fentanyl is extremely lethal; there are vital strategies that can help prevent overdoses.
- Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin and fentanyl.
Overview
Tuesday, April 29th marks the fourth annual . The observance was founded by parents who have lost loved ones to the drug overdose crisis. The aim of the observance is to raise awareness about the alarming number of deaths caused by illegally made fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
National Fentanyl Awareness Day is supported by a coalition of experts, corporations, nonprofits, schools, families, and elected officials who are coming together today to spread the word. We invite you to take action and help us share the message about the dangers of fentanyl and the vital prevention strategies that can help avert both nonfatal and fatal overdoses. Get the facts and share them widely. Learn more about illegally made fentanyl and lifesaving naloxone.
Key messages
was founded by parents who have lost loved ones to the drug overdose crisis. The observance aims to raise awareness about the alarming number of deaths caused by illegally made fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid. Most fentanyl-related harms and overdoses are linked to illegally made fentanyl.
New preliminary CDC data estimate a 26.5% decline in overdose deaths in the U.S. in the 12 months ending in November 2024, compared to the same time frame of the previous year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently renewed an to extend federal coordination efforts in response to the national opioid crisis. While there has been a downward trend in overall overdose deaths, fentanyl remains the predominant driver of these losses.
Fentanyl is a major contributor to drug overdose deaths in the U.S. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Opioids—mainly synthetic opioids like illegally made fentanyl— are currently the most represented drugs in overdose deaths. In 2023, nearly 73,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids (primarily illegally made fentanyl). This is approximately 92% of all opioid overdose deaths. Over the last few years, nonfatal and fatal overdoses involving fentanyl have risen substantially.
The goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day are:
- Raise public awareness about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl
- Honor the lives lost to overdoses caused by illegally made fentanyl
- Inform the public about life-saving prevention efforts (such as distribution of naloxone)
- Prevent and reduce fentanyl-involved overdoses
Did you know?
Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin and fentanyl.
CDC continues robust efforts to address overdose
- The Stop Overdose campaigns offer free shareable resources to educate and protect the public from overdoses involving fentanyl. Resources include videos, factsheets, and social media content—emphasizing preventable measures such as carrying naloxone, a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
- The Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program strengthens U.S. overdose surveillance and provides both fatal (SUDORS) and nonfatal (DOSE) data systems. Continued investments leverage real time data to create interventions at the community level. Currently, 90 health departments receive OD2A funding to collect, improve, and immediately use the data in their communities to provide risk reduction services and link people to the care they need.
Sample graphics and social media
Sample post 1
#Fentanyl is up to 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine. Even a tiny amount can be fatal.
On #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, educate yourself and others about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl often found in counterfeit pills: Fentanyl Facts | Stop Overdose | CDC
Sample post 2
Knowledge saves lives. This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, take action to learn about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl, how to prevent an overdose, and support those in recovery: About Stop Overdose | Stop Overdose | CDC
Sample post 3
Download additional format: animated graphic
Overdose deaths may be declining, but synthetic opioids like #fentanyl still cause more than 60% of fatal overdoses.
Stay informed and take action on how you can help protect our communities: Fentanyl Facts | Stop Overdose | CDC
#NationalFentanylAwarenessDay
Sample post 1
Illegal drugs don't come with an ingredient list. These drugs are often mixed with fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can be deadly even in small amounts—and most people don't even know it's there.
This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, take action:
Learn the signs of an overdose
Carry naloxone—it can reverse an opioid overdose and save a life
Share this message to help protect your community
Being informed and prepared can make all the difference: Lifesaving Naloxone | Stop Overdose | CDC
Sample post 2
Knowing the signs of an overdose could mean the difference between life and death.
Do you know the signs of an opioid overdose?
This National Fentanyl Awareness Day, take a moment to learn what to do in an emergency—knowledge could save a life: What to Do if You Think Someone is Overdosing | Stop Overdose | CDC
Sample post 1
Download animated graphic - Instagram story 1
Download animated graphic - Instagram story 2
Download animated graphic - Instagram post 1
Download animated graphic - Instagram post 2
Think that pill is safe? Think again.
Counterfeit pills can look just like real prescription meds—but they may contain illegally made fentanyl. Even one pill can be fatal.
This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, start the conversation. Talk to your kids, your friends, and your community about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl.
Tap the link in our bio to learn more. Fentanyl Facts | Stop Overdose | CDC
#NFAD2025 #NoRandomPills
Sample post 2
Illegally made #fentanyl is the most common drug involved in overdose deaths.
Naloxone, a life-saving medication, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Anyone can carry it, give it to someone experiencing an overdose, and potentially save a life.
Tap the link in our bio to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and how you can help prevent overdose deaths. Fentanyl Facts | Stop Overdose | CDC
#NationalFentanylAwarenessDay
Download additional format: animated graphic
Fentanyl & Public Health: A Critical Call to Action
Illegally made fentanyl is a leading cause of drug-related deaths, posing a significant public health challenge. As public health professionals, you play a vital role in prevention, education, and response.
National Fentanyl Awareness Day is April 29th, let's amplify awareness, expand naloxone access, and empower communities with lifesaving information: Fentanyl Facts | Stop Overdose | CDC
Sample partner letter
4th Annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day – Taking Action Against Illegal Fentanyl
Tuesday, April 29 marks the fourth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day, an essential observance founded by parents who have tragically lost loved ones to the overdose crisis. This cross-sector initiative—supported by subject matter experts, corporations, nonprofits, schools, families, and elected officials—aims to elevate the dialogue around illegally made fentanyl (IMF) and mobilize unified action.
The Challenge
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even trace amounts can be deadly. IMF is frequently mixed into heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine or pressed into counterfeit pills designed to resemble legitimate prescription medication. This mixing makes fentanyl extremely dangerous, as many individuals may unknowingly consume fentanyl-laced substances. These practices dramatically increase the risk for unsuspecting users and continue to drive the majority of overdose fatalities in the United States.
Recent Progress & Ongoing Priorities
Recent preliminary CDC data estimate a 26.5% decline in overdose deaths in the U.S. in the 12 months ending November 2024, compared to the same time frame of the previous year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently renewed the national public health emergency declaration, ensuring sustained federal coordination on prevention, surveillance, and response to the opioid crisis. Despite the downward trend in overdose deaths, fentanyl remains the predominant driver of overdose mortality—underscoring our collective imperative to intensify preventive efforts.
CDC Continues Robust Efforts to Address Overdose Crisis
- The Stop Overdose campaigns offer free shareable resources to educate and protect the public from overdoses involving fentanyl. Resources include videos, factsheets, and social media content—emphasizing preventable measures such as carrying naloxone, a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
- The Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program strengthens U.S. overdose surveillance and provides both fatal (SUDORS) and nonfatal (DOSE) data systems. Continued investments leverage real time data to create interventions at the community level. Currently, 90 health departments receive OD2A funding to collect, improve, and immediately use the data in their communities to provide risk reduction services and link people to the care they need.
Call to Action
On April 29th, we invite you to join us in raising awareness and driving prevention efforts:
- Use our CDC NFAD partner toolkit and to access key messages, social media templates, partner emails, and more.
- Make use of our Stop Overdose campaigns resources—including factsheets, videos, and social media content—to educate your communities about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and promote the importance of carrying naloxone.
- Follow social accounts and .
- Amplify the conversation on social media using #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, #StopOverdose, and #NFAD2025, and consider hosting virtual briefings or local media collaborations.
Additional Resources
- Overdose Prevention: Preventing Opioid Overdose and Reverse Opioid Overdose to Prevent Death
- Data Dashboards: SUDORS, DOSE, and Mapping Injury, Overdose, & Violence
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment. By leveraging data-driven strategies and unified engagement, together we can transform awareness into decisive action, reduce overdose deaths —and save lives.