DDPHE Blog: Fentanyl Awareness Day – Making Harm Reduction Accessible

DDPHE Blog: Fentanyl Awareness Day - Making Harm Reduction Accessible

Published on April 29, 2026

April 29 marks Fentanyl Awareness Day, a national observance that shines a light on the ongoing overdose crisis and the urgent need for prevention, education and compassion. As communities across the country continue to grapple with the devastating impacts of the overdose crisis, this day serves as a reminder that saving lives starts with awareness-and with reducing the stigma that too often stands in the way of support.

For young people, stigma surrounding substance use and mental health can be especially dangerous. Fear of judgment, punishment or misunderstanding may prevent youth from asking questions, seeking help or responding in an emergency. It can also discourage them from carrying naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. When conversations are rooted in care rather than shame, young people are more likely to access lifesaving information and take action when it matters most.

Denver Schools Expand Access to Lifesaving Tools

In Denver, prevention efforts are growing to meet the realities facing today's youth. Through a partnership with Denver Public Schools, educators, school health professionals and other trusted adults are receiving updated training on current substance use trends, including the dangers of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.

At the same time, DDPHE is working to make naloxone more accessible in schools. DDPHE's Overdose Prevention Team has installed emergency overdose response cabinets in all secondary schools across the district, ensuring that students and staff can quickly access this lifesaving medication in the event of an overdose. These efforts are paired with education that frames preparedness as a practical, responsible step-much like knowing CPR or locating a fire extinguisher.

Harm Reduction Is an Act of Care

Harm reduction is often misunderstood, but at its core, it is about keeping people safe. For caregivers, educators and school health professionals, that means meeting young people where they are with empathy, honesty and accurate information.

Open, nonjudgmental conversations can help youth better understand the risks in today's drug supply while also reinforcing that prevention and safety go hand in hand. Encouraging young people to look out for one another, recognize the signs of an overdose and feel confident stepping in during an emergency helps build a culture of care where silence is replaced by support.

Naloxone Saves Lives and Creates Pathways to Recovery

Overdose prevention tools such as free naloxone do more than reverse overdoses. They provide another chance. Not everyone is ready to seek treatment or change their relationship with substance use today. But by preventing a fatal overdose, communities can ensure that individuals have the opportunity to access support when they are ready.

Like seat belts or smoke alarms, naloxone is a safety tool designed for moments of crisis. It protects lives and creates space for recovery, healing and hope.

What To Know About Overdose Prevention

People who use drugs can reduce their risk of overdose by taking simple but important precautions:

• Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
• Avoid using alone whenever possible.
• Test substances when test strips are available.
• Know the signs of an opioid overdose, including slowed or stopped breathing and unresponsiveness.
• Call 911 immediately in any suspected overdose.

It is also important to remember that while naloxone is highly effective at reversing opioid overdoses, it will not reverse overdoses caused solely by non-opioid substances such as methamphetamine or cocaine. If a person remains unresponsive after naloxone is administered, continue providing rescue breathing and wait for emergency responders to arrive. Administering naloxone to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose will not cause harm.

On Fentanyl Awareness Day, and everyday, overdose prevention is about more than responding to emergencies. It is about building a community where everyone has the opportunity to survive and thrive.

• Public Health & Environment