FACING FENTANYL ™ is a not-for-profit assembly of grassroots illicit fentanyl awareness groups. We are affected families that have built organizations that address the impact of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl and the changing drug landscape. Together we warn the public about the dangers of illicit fentanyl. We speak for victims of illicit fentanyl poisoning and have been pleading for a whole government response to address this deadly poison. As the death toll rises and more families grieve, advocates and affected family members are taking initiative to bring forth a NATIONAL FENTANYL PREVENTION AND AWARENESS DAY™. We ask that all of you FACE FENTANYL NOW.

Illicit Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicit fentanyl. This site addresses ILLICIT FENTANYL. Drug cartels make and supply illicit fentanyl either as a standalone substance, as an additive deceptively put into other dangerous street drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, or as substitutes for these drugs. Illicit fentanyl is purposely and deceptively added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, making drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Illicit fentanyl is found in all street drugs today. Fentanyl has also been identified in counterfeit prescription pills. These fake pills are made to look identical to legitimate prescription pills - such as Oxycontin®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Adderall®, Xanax® and other medicines-and have been found in every state in the country. Criminal drug networks are harnessing the accessibility of social media and e-commerce to push deadly drugs into American communities and lure youth. Cartels and distributors continue to perfect this poison to distribute, addict, and deceive.

For the first time in our nation's history, over 300,000 Americans have died of drug overdose and fentanyl poisoning in just a few years, from 2020 to the present. Fentanyl deaths are projected to increase in the years ahead. Children under 14 are dying of fentanyl poisoning faster than any other age group. Fentanyl continues to be the number one killer of adults 18-45. Fentanyl-related deaths occur approximately every five minutes, and DEA reports that at least 7 in 10 counterfeit pills are deadly. Tracking of deaths and poisonings has been insufficient, and we believe the available data is lower than this crisis's actuality. Illicit fentanyl is devastating every socioeconomic class. If you think illicit fentanyl can't impact your family, we urge you to reconsider.

ONE THING IS FOR SURE, prevention and education is a definite power to help others make educated choices. We are warning the public that illicit fentanyl is prevalent in the United States and can cause sudden death. We simply want to educate about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, inform and reduce victim fatalities.

Illicit Fentanyl educators are using the term poisoning instead of overdose. It is important to understand what illicit fentanyl does to the body, and the stigma surrounding the term 'overdose'. Overdose suggests that an excessive amount of something has been used. We want the public to understand that there is no safe dose of illicit fentanyl. 2 mg (equal in size to a few grains of salt) can kill, and the drug is so powerful that addiction can begin from first use. For those reasons and more, we move forward with the term poisoning on this site. We encourage the Associated Press to do the same. We understand that the term 'overdose' will take time to globally change. We encourage you to share the message about the dangers of fentanyl and not let one word vs. another stop you from educating others about the dangers of illicit fentanyl.

WHY AUGUST 21? National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is August 21. The date is chosen not to overshadow the importance of Overdose Awareness Day that falls in the same month, but as a perfect time to bring attention to the differences between 'overdose' and poisoning.

Contact us if your organization wants to be involved in bringing attention to the National Day. We will include your organization link to our website. If you are an interested spokesperson, we would love to hear from you and discuss how you can help.