National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

As the number one killer of young adults between 18-45 in the US today, fentanyl is a drug that can be addictive from the first use, with the possibility of deadly poisoning in only the smallest trace amounts.

National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is an opportunity for individuals, families, schools and other groups to work preventatively toward healthier communities that are fentanyl free.

History of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Local fentanyl action groups, such as Facing Fentanyl, a non-profit established in honor of those who have lost their lives to illicit fentanyl poisoning, founded and organized National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.

The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the devastation that fentanyl has brought to families and communities, affecting hundreds of thousands of people each year.

In addition, the day seeks to show support to those families who have lost their loved ones to this drug.

The event is scheduled to take place just ten days prior to International Overdose Awareness Day and highlights the commonalities along with the differences between overdoses and fentanyl poisoning.

In 2023, the United States Congress passed a resolution in support of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This event is also promoted and supported by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

How to Observe National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Check out a few of these ideas for participating in National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day:

Learn Facts About Fentanyl

Everyone needs to be more informed about the dangers of fentanyl, and National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is a good time to learn more.

Consider some of these statistics given by the Faces of Fentanyl organizations:

• Deaths related to fentanyl occur approximately every five minutes and it continues to be the number one killer of of adults ages 18–45.
• Children under the age of 14 are are dying of fentanyl poisoning faster than any other age group
• Fentanyl deaths are projected to increase in the coming years.
• Illicit fentanyl pills are made to look exactly like legitimate prescription drugs, which makes it easy for them to be passed off to unsuspecting people.

Visit the DEA Museum

An excellent way to get involved with National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day might be to head over to the DEA Museum located in Arlington, Virginia.

First opened in 1999, this fascinating museum offers interactive learning opportunities for students, teachers, families, field trips and more. One special exhibit that might be of interest is called Faces of Fentanyl, commemorating lives lost to fentanyl poisoning.

Other events at Days of the Year that are observed in relation to this topic include National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week in March, National D.A.R.E. Day in April, and National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October.