Families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl are sharing their stories Wednesday as part of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, hoping their grief can help save lives.Their goal is to speak out about the dangers of fentanyl and the devastating impact it continues to have on families across the region.Loved ones lost to fentanyl are also being honored on a billboard near Highway 99 and Calvine Road in Sacramento. The billboard reads “Fentanyl Kills” as part of a campaign to raise awareness and reduce harm. Featured on the billboard are the faces of people who died from the drug.It also directs people to SaferSacramento.com for more information and resources.Sacramento County officials said continued community education, prevention efforts and support services are making a difference. The county saw a 30% decrease in fentanyl-related deaths in 2025.Health officials said the progress shows that awareness and prevention can help save lives, but families say more work is still needed.Sacramento County will continue its outreach efforts with the annual Fentanyl and Beyond: A Community Response Summit on May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Event Center, located at 6300 Fountain Square Dr.The free event will focus on substance use education, prevention and connecting residents to resources.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl are sharing their stories Wednesday as part of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, hoping their grief can help save lives.
Their goal is to speak out about the dangers of fentanyl and the devastating impact it continues to have on families across the region.
Loved ones lost to fentanyl are also being honored on a billboard near Highway 99 and Calvine Road in Sacramento. The billboard reads “Fentanyl Kills” as part of a campaign to raise awareness and reduce harm. Featured on the billboard are the faces of people who died from the drug.
It also directs people to SaferSacramento.com for more information and resources.
Sacramento County officials said continued community education, prevention efforts and support services are making a difference. The county saw a 30% decrease in fentanyl-related deaths in 2025.
Health officials said the progress shows that awareness and prevention can help save lives, but families say more work is still needed.
Sacramento County will continue its outreach efforts with the annual Fentanyl and Beyond: A Community Response Summit on May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Event Center, located at 6300 Fountain Square Dr.
The free event will focus on substance use education, prevention and connecting residents to resources.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel