5th Annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day – TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Half a Decade of Impact, the Work Continues:
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Wednesday, April 29 marks the fifth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day, an observance founded by parents who lost loved ones to the overdose crisis. What started as a call from grieving families has grown into a nationwide movement, bringing together schools, nonprofits, public health professionals, community organizations, corporations, and policymakers around one goal: keeping people safe from illegally made fentanyl (IMF). This year's focus is protecting young people. IMF is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States — and young people are especially at risk. From 2020 to 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among youth ages 10–19 involved IMF. What makes this so dangerous is that many young people don't know they are being exposed. Counterfeit pills — often made to look exactly like prescription medications such as oxycodone — are frequently mixed with fentanyl. Nearly half of all teens don't know this.
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What You Need to Know Illegally made fentanyl (IMF) is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. An amount as small as a few grains of salt can be fatal. It is often mixed into other drugs or pressed into pills that look real — which means people can unknowingly be exposed. Preliminary data from CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) for overdose deaths occurring during January–June 2025 in 37 states and Washington, DC, show that fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine were involved in nearly 70% of overdose deaths, either alone or in combination. Recent declines reflect the impact of more people carrying naloxone, expanded access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder, and stronger community-based overdose prevention services and education across the country. Progress is real, but the crisis persists. Fentanyl still accounts for the majority of overdose deaths in the United States, and too many young people are still losing their lives. This Year's Focus: Young People, Families, and Communities Keeping young people safe from illegally made fentanyl takes all of us. Parents and caregivers need to know the risks and feel confident talking with their kids. Educators and school staff are often the first adults a young person turns to and can be among the most powerful voices for prevention in their schools and communities. Neighbors, faith leaders, coaches, and local organizations all have a role to play. One conversation can change everything. Knowing the signs of an overdose can save a life. Having naloxone on hand can mean the difference between life and death. This National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we are asking everyone — not just health professionals — to take action.
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Resources to Help You Take Action CDC developed tools and programs specifically designed to reach young people, families, educators, and communities:
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Five Ways to Take Action on April 29th You don't need to be a health expert to make a difference. Here's how you can help:
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Sample Social Media Posts Use or adapt these posts to spread the word on April 29th. Graphics and additional templates are available in the CDC NFAD partner toolkit.
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Channel X/Twitter Audience General public | #Fentanyl is the leading driver of overdose deaths in the U.S. — and 75% of overdose deaths among teens involve illegally made fentanyl. Don't assume a pill is safe. This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay — TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. https://bit.ly/4mVC7sC #NFAD2026 #StopOverdose
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Channel Audience General public | Fake pills often contain fentanyl — a powerful opioid that can kill in very small amounts. This National Fentanyl Awareness Day, TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. Learn how to talk to young people about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl. https://bit.ly/3R4MtKB |
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Channel Instagram Story Audience Parents & caregivers | Parents — that pill your child got from a friend or online might not be what they think. 45% of teens don't know fentanyl is used to make fake pills. This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, start the conversation. TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. 🔗 Tap the link in our bio. https://bit.ly/4tuC0GO #NFAD2026 #NoRandomPills |
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Channel Audience Community Members | Communities save lives. This National Fentanyl Awareness Day — talk openly about counterfeit pills, find naloxone near you, and share this post. One conversation can save a life. TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. https://bit.ly/42yT2Yq |
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Channel Audience Educators, counselors, school nurses | Teachers and school counselors: you may be the first adult a young person turns to — or the first one who starts the conversation. 75% of overdose deaths among youth ages 10–19 involved illegally made fentanyl. This National Fentanyl Awareness Day, CDC's Free Mind campaign has tools designed for you. TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. https://bit.ly/4mU19YQ |
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Channel Audience Educators, counselors, school nurses | Illegally made fentanyl is driving more than 60% of overdose deaths. Public health professionals are on the front lines of prevention, education, and response. On April 29th, National Fentanyl Awareness Day — let's rally together and equip communities with lifesaving knowledge. TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. https://bit.ly/4tLSk6b #NFAD2026 #StopOverdose |
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Additional resources
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One conversation. One share. One dose of naloxone. It can save a life. TAKE ACTION. SAVE A LIFE. Learn more at fentanylawarenessday.org |
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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. |
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