National Fentanyl Awareness Day shines light on deadly crisis
ST. LOUIS – It's a deadly crisis gripping communities across the nation, and St. Louis is no exception.
Tuesday is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is teaming up with local law enforcement to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and the staggering impact it's having on American families.
Fentanyl is now considered the greatest drug threat facing the United States, according to the DEA. In 2023 alone, more than 105,000 Americans died from drug poisonings. Nearly 70 percent of those deaths were tied to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Health officials warn fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It only takes about two milligrams, which is roughly the size of a few grains of salt, to be deadly.
Multiple deaths, injuries reported after vehicle crashes into after-school building in central Illinois
The biggest danger lies in the deception. Fentanyl is often mixed into counterfeit pills made to look like prescription medications, such as oxycodone, xanax and vicodin, which could get into the hands of unsuspecting users.
While the CDC reports a decline in overdose deaths nationwide and an almost 28 percent decline in drug overdose deaths in Missouri year-over-year, the DEA emphasizes that now is not the time to relax. Officials warn drug cartels are increasingly using social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps to sell fake pills, often targeting young people.
Tuesday is not only about raising awareness but also about honoring the lives lost to this crisis and empowering communities with information and prevention strategies.
The DEA encourages everyone to join the 'Fight to Save Lives' using the hashtags #OnePillCanKill and #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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