10 Simple Ways to Raise Awareness About Fentanyl

At Wilson’s Wave, we know that awareness saves lives. 

The fentanyl crisis continues to impact families and communities across the country, often quietly and unexpectedly. Many people never intend to take fentanyl at all; it’s frequently hidden in counterfeit pills and other substances that look legitimate but can be deadly in even the smallest amount. 

The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert or have a large platform to make a difference. Small, intentional actions can create powerful ripples of change. 

Below are 10 simple ways you can help raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl in your family and community. 

1. Start the Conversation

Talk openly with friends, kids, coworkers, and loved ones. Honest conversations (free of judgment) can save lives. 

2. Share the Facts

Many people don’t realize fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin or that just two milligrams can be lethal. Education matters.

3. Talk About Counterfeit Pills

Make sure people know that fake pills made to look like Percocet, Xanax, Adderall, or Oxycodone are often laced with fentanyl. 

4. Use Your Social Media

Sharing credible information, personal stories, or educational resources can reach people you may never speak to directly. 

5. Encourage Safer Choices

Make it clear that no pill from a friend, dealer, or social source is safe. Only medications from a pharmacy can be trusted. 

6. Normalize Carrying Naloxone

Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses and saves lives. Help remove stigma by talking about where to get it and how to use it. 

7. Listen with Empathy

If someone opens up about substance use or curiosity, listen without judgment. Compassion builds trust and keeps conversations going. 

8. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about current trends, risks, and prevention strategies. The more you know, the more confidently you can speak up.

9. Support Community Education

Schools, churches, and local organizations are powerful places for prevention-focused conversations. Encourage fentanyl awareness programming where you live. 

10. Share Wilson’s Wave

Help spread Wilson’s Wave’s mission by directing people to resources, stories, and educational tools that save lives.

Creating Ripples of Awareness That Save Lives

Wilson’s Wave was founded from heartbreak but driven by hope and the belief that no other family should experience the loss of a loved one due to accidental fentanyl poisoning. Through speaking engagements, educational programs, and community outreach, founder Betsy Moore brings real-life impact and practical prevention strategies to audiences across North Carolina and beyond. 

You don’t have to do everything. Small acts can create a wave of change. One conversation. One post. One shared resource. Each action creates a ripple, and together those ripples can save lives.