What to know
- April 29 marks the fifth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day founded by families who lost loved ones to overdose.
- Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S., involved in nearly 70% of fatal overdoses.
- 75% of overdose deaths among youth ages 10–19 involved fentanyl (2020–2024).
- Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose — it's safe, easy to use, and anyone can carry it.
Overview
April 29, 2026, marks the fifth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day, founded by parents who lost loved ones to the overdose crisis. This year, the focus is on protecting young people from illegally made fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that remains the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.
From 2020 to 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among young people ages 10–19 involved fentanyl—often due to counterfeit pills and other substances that may contain fentanyl without their knowledge. Nearly half of teens are unaware that counterfeit prescription pills can often contain lethal amounts of illegally made fentanyl.
While overdose deaths in the United States have declined over the past year, recent data suggest this decline is leveling off. 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.
This observance aims to equip youth, parents, educators, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent both fatal and nonfatal overdoses.
Key messages
1. About the observance
National Fentanyl Awareness Day, observed on April 29, was founded by families who have lost loved ones to overdose. The observance brings together public health, education, community, and private sector partners to raise awareness about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl—especially its impact on youth—and to promote actions that can save lives.
2. Current state of the crisis
Overdose deaths in the United States have declined over the past year, though recent data suggest this decline is leveling off. Preliminary 2025 data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) 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.
Illegally made fentanyl (IMF) remains the leading driver of overdose deaths and continues to pose a serious threat to young people. From 2020 to 2024, 75% of overdose deaths of people between the ages of 10–19 involved fentanyl.
A key risk factor is IMFs are often mixed with other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills made to look like legitimate prescription medications. As a result, young people may unknowingly consume fentanyl when experimenting with substances or taking pills they believe are safe.
3. Fentanyl-related overdose risk among youth
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even small amounts can be deadly.
Illegally made fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills designed to look like legitimate prescription medications. This increases risk for youth and young adults, who may unknowingly consume fentanyl when experimenting with substances or taking pills they believe are safe.
From 2020 to 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among youth ages 10–19 involved illegally made fentanyl.
Nearly half of teens are unaware counterfeit prescription pills may contain lethal amounts.
4. Prevention works
Overdoses are preventable. Key strategies include:
- Increasing awareness of fentanyl risks among youth, families, and communities
- Expanding access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses
- Teaching young people, parents, and educators how to recognize and respond to an overdose
5. Call to action
On April 29, you can:
- Talk with youth in your life about the risks of fentanyl and counterfeit pills
- Learn the signs of an overdose and how to respond
- Carry and know how to use naloxone
- Share trusted information and prevention resources with members of your community
Together, these actions can help protect young people, save lives, and reduce overdose deaths.
Related Resources:
Sample graphics and social media
Sample post 1
#Fentanyl is up to 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine. Even a small amount can be deadly.
This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, learn the risks and share the facts to help save lives: https://bit.ly/4l3s2J3
Sample post 2
Fentanyl remains the leading driver of overdose deaths, causing more than 60% of fatal overdoses.
You can help prevent overdoses:
✔️ Learn the signs
✔️ Carry naloxone
✔️ Share trusted info
Learn how you can help protect our communities: https://bit.ly/3Ne5SHB #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay
Sample post 3
Fake pills are putting young people at risk. Many look like real medication but may contain fentanyl.
You can't see, taste, or smell it.
This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, learn the risks and protect yourself and your friends: https://bit.ly/42oZgdn
Sample post 4
Think that pill is safe? It might not be. Counterfeit pills can contain fentanyl – even one can be deadly.
Talk to your kids about the risks: https://bit.ly/42oZgdn
Sample post 1
Think that pill is safe? Fake pills are putting young people at risk. DYK: 45% of teens don't know fentanyl is used to make counterfeit pills.
Many look like real medication but may contain fentanyl.
You can't see it, taste it, or smell it. Even one pill can be deadly.
This National Fentanyl Awareness Day, learn the risks and protect yourself and your friends: https://bit.ly/4mM1RHL
Sample post 2
Think that pill is safe? Think again. 🚨
DYK: 45% of teens don’t know fentanyl is used to make counterfeit pills.
Counterfeit pills may look like real prescription medications but can contain fentanyl—even one pill can be deadly.
Start the conversation today—one talk could save a life. https://bit.ly/4mM1RHL
Sample post 3
Teens may face stress, anxiety, or pressure—and some may turn to substances to cope. Talking early and openly can help protect them.
Learn how to talk with your teen about fentanyl and counterfeit pills: https://bit.ly/4eFCMMt
Sample post 4
Recognizing the signs of an overdose can save a life.
Learn what to do in an emergency—and how naloxone can reverse an overdose: https://bit.ly/4eFCMMt
Sample post 1
Not everything is as it seems.
Fake pills aka counterfeit pills can look harmless but may contain fentanyl. You can't see it, taste it, or smell it. Even one pill can be deadly.
Stress, anxiety, and pressure can make it harder to make safe choices—but you're not alone.
This #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay:
✔️ Learn the risks
✔️ Carry naloxone
✔️ Look out for your friends
✔️ Talk to someone you trust
#StopOverdose
🔗 Tap the link in our bio to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and how you can help prevent an overdose: https://bit.ly/4trY9W5
Sample post 2
Illegally made #fentanyl is the leading driver of overdose deaths.
Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose and save a life.
It's safe, easy to use, and anyone can carry it.
Tap the link in our bio to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and how you can help prevent overdose deaths. https://bit.ly/4trY9W5
#NationalFentanylAwarenessDay
Fentanyl remains a leading driver of overdose deaths in the United States—even as overall deaths have declined.
This National Fentanyl Awareness Day (April 29), public health professionals play a critical role in prevention by:
- Expanding naloxone access
- Educating youth and communities
- Using data-driven strategies
Let's rally together and equip communities with lifesaving knowledge.
Access CDC resources to support your work: https://bit.ly/4mUomug
Sample partner letter
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.
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, wider distribution of fentanyl test strips in order to reach more communities, 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.
Resources to Help You Take Action
CDC developed tools and programs specifically designed to reach young people, families, educators, and communities:
- Free Mind is CDC's national campaign to prevent youth substance use and overdose. Developed through research and real conversations with young people, parents, and caregivers, Free Mind gives young people ages 12–17 and the adults in their lives practical tools and information about substance use, mental health, risk factors, and how to stay safe. If you work with young people, these resources were built for you.
- Stop Overdose offers free, ready-to-share resources for the public including videos, factsheets, and social media content to educate and protect the public from overdoses involving illegally made fentanyl and emphasizing preventable measures such as carrying naloxone, which is safe and effective.
- TheOverdose Data to Action (OD2A)program supports 90 health departments across the country in tracking overdoses in real time, through both fatal (SUDORS) and nonfatal (DOSE) data, so communities can respond quickly and connect people to care.
- ENGAGE: Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Youth Substance Use equips organizations with six research-based prevention strategies and practical guidance — with approaches tailored to meet the needs of different communities — to help prevent or delay substance use among young people.
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:
- Get the toolkit. Use the CDC NFAD partner toolkit and NFAD toolkit for key messages, social media templates, partner emails, and ready-to-use graphics.
- Share resources with your community. Use Stop Overdose factsheets, videos, and social media content to help people learn about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and why carrying naloxone matters.
- If you work with young people, share Free Mind. Educators, counselors, coaches, and community leaders can visit the Free Mind campaign and share its tools with students, families, and the communities they serve.
- Follow and amplify on social media. Follow @FentAwareDay on X/Twitter and National Fentanyl Awareness Day on Facebook. Share posts using #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay, #StopOverdose, and #NFAD2026.
- Start a conversation. Talk to a neighbor, a student, a parent, or a colleague. Share what you know. One conversation — one share, one dose of naloxone can save a life.