Overview
- Federal agencies and partners observed National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on Friday with outreach, memorials and education to warn families about counterfeit pills and fentanyl risks.
- Provisional CDC figures cited by the White House show synthetic-opioid deaths fell about 22% from 48,913 in 2024 to 38,084 in 2025, a change the administration highlighted in its August 21 materials.
- The White House credited enforcement moves including the HALT Fentanyl Act, cartel designations and border measures for helping reduce the supply reaching U.S. communities.
- Law enforcement continues major seizures and prosecutions: the DEA reports tens of millions of fentanyl pills seized in 2025–2026 and prosecutors in Utah announced indictments after seizures of roughly 204,000 pills.
- Public-health officials warn fentanyl remains a leading cause of death for people ages 18–45 and urge wide naloxone access, drug-checking test strips and local prevention work even as some counties report steep declines.