Fentanyl has been called the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered. It is, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The staggering numbers show that in 2021 alone, 107,375 Americans died of drug overdose and poisoning, with 67% of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The ripple effect from this crisis is felt across the nation as families, friends and communities continue to shoulder the loss of a loved one — a loss that is almost always accidental, considering how low the lethal dose is. Now, the fentanyl epidemic is getting the attention necessary to change those tides with the help of organizations like Song for Charlie, Shatterproof and the Make It Better Foundation — who hosted a live virtual event with experts and parents to discuss the topic head on.
Despite the research and advocacy for this crisis, the harrowing reality is still not widely understood by the public. To better understand the issue and protect your family, learn more about fentanyl awareness and the stories of victims and their loved ones by reading Better’s Fentanyl Awareness Day coverage:
- Stories and Advice from Parents and Experts Who Have Faced the Terrifying Reality of America’s Fentanyl Crisis: Fentanyl has been called the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered. Learn from parents who have lost children and experts in the field on how you can protect your family from this dangerous drug.
- Reach For a Loved One Before They Reach for a Drug — A Mother’s Plea and Advice After Losing Her Son to Fentanyl: A mother shares her heartbreaking story and recommended resources for parents.
- National Fentanyl Awareness Day: A Lament and Request For Help On Behalf Of Charlie, Linus and Too Many Other Lost Children: Make It Better Media Group founder Susan B. Noyes shares her story and invites you to share yours.
Please Share Your Stories:
Has your family been impacted by the fentanyl crisis or do you know others doing important work to fight fentanyl? Watch our virtual event or read the article summarizing the top-line advice from experts. Or, feel you have something important to say on the topic? Tell your story in a You Said It article.
Double Your Impact:
Take action by donating to the Make It Better Foundation and your funds will be matched up to $10,000 by the Make It Better Foundation and distributed to our National Fentanyl Awareness Day partners: Shatterproof, National Harm Reduction Coalition and Song for Charlie.
Designate the recipient(s) on the donation page when you click below.
More from Better:
- National Fentanyl Awareness Day: Stories and Advice from Parents and Experts Who Have Faced the Terrifying Reality of America’s Fentanyl Crisis
- Reach For a Loved One Before They Reach for a Drug — A Mother’s Plea and Advice After Losing Her Son to Fentanyl
- National Fentanyl Awareness Day: A Lament and Request For Help On Behalf Of Charlie, Linus and Too Many Other Lost Children
