National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ Toolkit

Overview

National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ was established in 2022 to remember and honor the lives lost to overdoses involving illegally made fentanyl. Behind every name is a loved one— someone's child, sibling, parent, or friend. This year's theme focuses on hope and mental health, underscoring the importance of healing, reducing stigma around seeking treatment for substance use, and sharing lifesaving information about prevention.

The goals of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ are to:

Honor and remember the lives lost to fentanyl-related overdoses and support families and communities impacted by this crisis.
Acknowledge the devastation of affected families and friends.
Increase public awareness about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl, counterfeit pills, accidental exposure, and access to life-saving resources like naloxone.
Educate and empower communities through prevention education and overdose response training.
Promote mental health and well-being as essential components of substance use prevention and recovery.
Inspire hope and action by sharing stories of resilience, recovery, and local solutions making a difference.
Strengthen partnerships across public health, education, and community organizations to drive sustained prevention efforts.

National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ was established by FACING FENYANYL™. FACING FENTANYL™ is a trademarked subsidiary of VOICES FOR AWARENESS FOUNDATION.

Partner with us

Join us by using your voice to share the facts on fentanyl- together, we can take action against illegally made fentanyl and save lives. This partner toolkit provides free resources for you to use, including key National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ messages, social media content, and more.

Key messages

According to preliminary data released by the CDC on August 13, 2025, an estimated 77,648 drug overdose deaths occurred in the 12 months ending in March 2025. This marks a 25% decrease compared to the same period ending in March 2024. Despite this decline, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has renewed its emergency declaration to continue federal coordination in response to the ongoing national opioid crisis.

Fentanyl remains the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. Even in small amounts, it can be fatal.
- Synthetic opioids—particularly illegally manufactured fentanyl—are currently the most common substances involved in overdose deaths.
- In 2023, nearly 73,000 overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, accounting for approximately 92% of all opioid-related fatalities.
- From 2013 to 2023, deaths involving fentanyl increased sharply, although a decline began in 2023.

Counterfeit pills often contain illegally made fentanyl.
- Illegal drugs and counterfeit pills can contain deadly levels of fentanyl without a person's knowledge, increasing the risk of overdose or death.
- Fentanyl is also commonly mixed with drugs like cocaine, xylazine, medetomidine, and methamphetamine and can be made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids or stimulants.

Keep in mind

It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips, and even then, remember that no test is 100% accurate. Drugs may still contain fentanyl or fentanyl analogs even if you receive a negative result. There are other ways to lower your risk of overdose and keep yourself and others safe:

Keep naloxone readily available on you and at home.
Avoid mixing drugs.
Never take pills that did not come from a licensed pharmacy and weren't prescribed to you.
Ask for help if you're ready to get treatment for your substance use.

Be the Voice for Change: Take Action against illegally made fentanyl and save lives by:

Using fentanyl test strips (FTS). FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). FTS can inform people who use drugs and communities about the presence of fentanyl in the illegal drug supply so they can take steps to reduce their risk of overdose. It is important to remember that no test is 100% accurate. Drugs may still contain fentanyl or fentanyl analogs even if you receive a negative result.

Keeping naloxone readily available on you and at home. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time. Naloxone is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and at pharmacies in most states without a prescription. Having naloxone available allows bystanders to help save lives by preventing a fatal overdose.

Never taking pills that did not come from a pharmacy and weren't prescribed to you. Be aware that pills bought illegally might contain highly potent illegal drugs. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain it.

Avoiding mixing drugs. Whether intentional or not, mixing drugs like cocaine, opioids, and alcohol is never safe because the effects from combining drugs may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and even deadly.

Sample social media content

Use our sample social media content on your platforms to spread the word this National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day^TM.

Sample post 1

Two people talking — Take action. Save lives. National fentanyl prevention and awareness day.

It’s National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™. Discover how to recognize signs of an #overdose, the dangers of mixing drugs, how #naloxone & #fentanylteststrips can save lives, & steps to recovery: http://bit.ly/4oEODNA

Sample post 2

An image of a man with his eyes closed, facing upwards, and smiling. — You're still here. That matters. Stay. Reach out. Breathe.

This National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™, we remember lives lost and support those acting, raising awareness, and working to prevent overdose deaths.

Help be the voice for change. Explore how you can spread the facts and save lives: https://bit.ly/4mm1YJ6

Sample post 3

An image of two women laughing together. — Hope is stronger with support.

Addiction can affect anyone, but no one has to face it alone. Safe and effective treatments are available for those who experience #SubstanceUseDisorders. Explore medications, therapies, and support groups; find the recovery option that’s best for you: http://bit.ly/4lxccoC

Sample post 4

How to test substances for fentanyl using fentanyl test strips (FTS). Note: Always follow the instructions exactly as they are written on the FTS package.

1. Starting with a small amount of the substance in a clean, dry container, add water and mix.

2. Place the wavy end of the test strip down in the water and let it absorb for about 15 seconds.

3. Take the strip out of the water and place it on a flat surface for 2 to 5 minutes.

4. Read results. 1 Red line: positive (+) for fentanyl, recommend discarding.

4. Read results. 2 Red lines: negative (-) for fentanyl, use caution.

Illegally made fentanyl is the most common drug involved in overdose deaths. #FentanylTestStrips can detect the presence of #fentanyl in illegal drugs and lower the risk of an #overdose. Take additional steps to keep yourself and others safe:

Keep naloxone on you and at home
Never use drugs alone
Never take pills that weren't prescribed to you.

http://bit.ly/45AbSQd

Sample post 5

How to test substances for fentanyl using fentanyl test strips. Note: always follow the instructions exactly how they are written on the FTS package. — How to test substances for fentanyl using fentanyl test strips (FTS). Note: Always follow the instructions exactly as they are written on the FTS package.

Download additional format: animated graphic

#FentanylTestStrips can detect the presence of #fentanyl and lower the risk of an #overdose. This National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, learn how to use test strips and combine other harm reduction strategies to prevent #overdose deaths: http://bit.ly/45AbSQd

These sample Facebook posts include multi-image series that are meant to be shared in a single post as a carousel or story.

Sample post 1

Counterfeit pills can appear as pharmaceutical pills but often contain illegally made fentanyl, benzodiazepines, or other drugs. — Know the risks and dangers of counterfeit pills.

Reduce your risk by only taking pills that have been prescribed to you. Knowing where your drugs come from, even if they’re from friends, doesn’t mean they’re safe. — Reduce your risk by only taking pills that have been prescribed to you.

Reduce your risk by being aware that pills bought illegally might contain highly potent drugs. By using fentanyl test strips (FTS), to detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs and drug forms. — Reduce your risk of overdose by being aware that pills bought illegally may contain fentanyl and by using fentanyl test strips.

Recovery from substance use disorders is possible – it’s okay to ask for help. Find treatment options near you by visiting findtreatment.gov or by calling the 24/7, National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). — Recovery for substance use disorders is possible.

Parents, talk to your kids about the risks of counterfeit pills. These fake pills can look like the real thing but may contain deadly amounts of illegally made fentanyl. Tragically, nearly 25% overdose deaths among adolescents in the U.S. involve counterfeit pills. This National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™, empower yourself and your kids with the info you need to stay safe: http://bit.ly/4mOOl58

Sample post 2

Addiction can touch anyone's life, but you don't have to face it alone. Safe and effective treatments are available for those dealing with substance use disorders. From medications and therapies to support groups, there are many paths to recovery. Take the first step and discover the recovery option that’s best for you: http://bit.ly/4lxccoC

Sample post 1

Do you know the signs of an opioid overdose?

Signs of an opioid overdose. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Here are some things to look for: unconsciousness or unable to wake up.

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Here are some things to look for: slow or shallow breathing.

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Here are some things to look for: trouble breathing (choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds).

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Here are some things to look for: discolored skin (especially in nails or lips).

Signs of an opioid overdose. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Here are some things to look for: small, constricted, “pinpoint pupils.” — Signs of an opioid overdose. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Here are some things to look for: small, constricted, "pinpoint pupils."

Recognizing the signs of an #opioid #overdose can potentially save a life. Discover what to look for and what steps to take if you think someone is overdosing: http://bit.ly/4mNVYbP

#NationalFentanylPreventionandAwarenessDay2025

Sample post 2

Download additional format: animated graphic

Do you know the signs of an opioid overdose? Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting fast can save a life. Find out what to look for and what steps to take if you think someone is overdosing: http://bit.ly/4mNVYbP

Sample post 3

Image of two people talking. — Take Action. Save Lives. National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.

It’s National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™. Discover how to recognize signs of an #overdose, the dangers of mixing drugs, how #naloxone & #fentanylteststrips can save lives, & steps to recovery: http://bit.ly/4oEODNA

Sample post 4

This National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™, we remember lives lost and support those acting, raising awareness, and working to prevent overdose deaths.

Help be the voice for change. Explore how you can spread the facts and save lives: https://bit.ly/4mm1YJ6

Digital media

Support National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ with our digital media content below which includes Facebook Profiles and GIPHYs.

Add one of our frames to your profile picture or encouraging your friends, fans, and followers to add one of the frames to their own profile picture. Add a frame to your Facebook profile picture by visiting the CDC Facebook account.

Find and use our GIPHY stickers for posting in your Stories on Instagram and Facebook. Help us encourage people to use our GIPHY stickers on their social media stories.

For more information on how to use our digital media content: Digital Media Toolkits | Overdose Prevention | CDC

National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ Toolkit

Purpose

Overview

The goals of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day™ are to: