A national connection point
Fentanyl Awareness Across America
Find an event. Join a community. Help save a life.
Awareness saves lives — and so does knowing what free help already exists. Learn the facts, find free naloxone, free test strips, and free support, then see what awareness, prevention, and remembrance events are happening near you.
Suspected overdose? Call 911 immediately.
Free, confidential help 24/7 — call or text 988, or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Why awareness matters
What everyone should know about fentanyl
Awareness starts with understanding. Knowing the risks of fentanyl, and sharing that knowledge with the people around you is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to help prevent harm and save lives.
Two milligrams can be fatal
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin. An amount smaller than a few grains of salt can kill.
Counterfeit pills look real
Pills sold online and through social media are often pressed to look like prescription medication but contain illicit fentanyl in unpredictable amounts.
Most poisonings are unintentional
Many people who die never knew fentanyl was present. That makes awareness, test strips, and naloxone a community responsibility, not an individual one.
National awareness campaigns
Join the many voices dedicated to educating the public on the serious dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs.
Free, no cost, no insurance needed
Free help available right now
These options are free to individuals and families across the country. Availability varies by community — many awareness events in the directory hand these out on site.
Free 24/7 support lines
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call the National Helpline run by SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential treatment referrals in English and Spanish, any hour of the day.
FreeFree naloxone (Narcan)
Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose. NEXT Distro mails free naloxone to people across the country with no prescription needed, and the National Harm Reduction Coalition can point you to a local program for in-person pickup.
FreeFree fentanyl test strips
Test strips can detect fentanyl in pills and powders before use. NEXT Distro mails strips free in many states, and local harm reduction programs hand them out with instructions on how to read results.
FreeFree education for families & schools
Song for Charlie offers free parent and school toolkits on counterfeit pills and social media drug sales, and SAMHSA's "Talk. They Hear You." campaign provides free conversation guides for caregivers and educators.
FreeFree grief & family support
GRASP hosts free peer grief groups for anyone who has lost a loved one to substance use, Team Sharing connects bereaved families nationwide, and SAMHSA's helpline can refer you to local family support at no cost.
FreeFree awareness materials
Download and print free flyers, posters, wallet cards, and social graphics from the CDC Stop Overdose campaign and order free SAMHSA publications for your school, workplace, or neighborhood.
FreeMark your calendar
National observances & government programs
Federal agencies publish free toolkits, graphics, and family talking points for each of these dates. Anyone can use them — plan a local event, share them at a school, or send them to someone who needs them.
- October 24, 2026
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Drug Enforcement Administration
Free, anonymous drop-off of unused or expired prescription medication, 10am–2pm at collection sites nationwide. Year-round disposal locations are listed too — clearing the medicine cabinet is one of the simplest ways to protect a household.
- October 23–31, 2026
Red Ribbon Week
DEA & community partners
The country's oldest and largest drug-prevention campaign. Schools, families, and youth groups can download free planning guides, pledge materials, and classroom activities.
- April 29, every year
National Fentanyl Awareness Day
CDC toolkit • founded by bereaved families
Started by parents who lost children to fentanyl poisoning. The CDC publishes a free toolkit with shareable graphics, social posts, and talking points for families and schools.
- August 21, every year
National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day
CDC toolkit • Facing Fentanyl
A national day of remembrance and prevention, with memorial displays, purple lighting, and a free CDC toolkit families can use to host something local.
- August 31, every year
International Overdose Awareness Day
Global remembrance campaign
The world's largest annual campaign to remember lives lost without stigma. Free tribute materials, event guides, and printable remembrance items are available to anyone.
- Every September
National Recovery Month
SAMHSA
A month-long observance celebrating recovery and the people who make it possible, with free community event toolkits, graphics, and messaging families can share.
- May 10–16, 2027
National Prevention Week
SAMHSA
A public education week highlighting prevention work in local communities, including free webinars and prevention materials for parents, schools, and coalitions.
Three free ways to make an impact today
Start one conversation
Talk with a teen, a coworker, or a neighbor about counterfeit pills and never using alone.
Carry naloxone
Get a free kit and learn the two-minute basics of recognizing and reversing an overdose.
Show up locally
Attend a walk, vigil, forum, or training near you — presence is prevention and remembrance.
See what's happening in your state
The directory is organized state by state, so you can find events close to home and add them straight to your own calendar.