National Fentanyl Awareness Day: Resources, Support and Hope

Today, April 29, marks National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a reminder that awareness can save lives and lead people to support. Through continued community education, prevention efforts and support services, Sacramento County saw a 30% decrease in fentanyl-related deaths in 2025. This progress shows that change is possible when communities come together with compassion, knowledge and action.

“Increased awareness, partnerships and collaboration are contributing to the decline in overdose deaths,” said Lori Miller, Division Manager with Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (SUPT). “We need to keep working together as a community because we all can make a difference.”

Sacramento County continues to work with the community and invest in prevention, treatment, healing and public education efforts to support residents and families. These efforts include:

• Safer Sacramento, which provides educational videos to guide individuals to make healthy choices and to avoid or reduce the potential harm from the use or misuse of substances. The Safer Sacramento website is filled with facts and resources to help address the fentanyl crisis and link people to behavioral health care.
• “The Ripple Effect,” a Safer Sacramento blog series that integrates fact-based research, speaks to the fentanyl crisis from various lenses and perspectives, and highlights the great work of Sacramento County and community partners.
• Sacramento County’s annual Fentanyl Awareness and Action Summit brings the community together for a day of education and empowerment, where attendees can learn more about opioids, methamphetamine and emerging substances, explore available resources and treatment options, and find ways to be part of the solution. The event will be held on Tuesday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Community Center.
• The Sacramento County Opioid Coalition focuses on saving lives through overdose prevention, safe disposal, early intervention, treatment, recovery support and ongoing community outreach. Those interested in joining or learning more can visit the coalition’s website.
• Gone Too Soon Project, which helps bring healing to the community through digital storytelling, public awareness campaigns and memorial posters displayed throughout the county. If you have lost a loved one to an overdose, you are invited to share their story by contacting info@sacopioidcoalition.org.

If you or someone you know needs help with substance use, support is available. Call 916-875-1055 or visit the SUPT website for more information.

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