CDPH continues to increase awareness about fentanyl and opioid overdose prevention to reduce stigma and protect the lives of Californians. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is a major contributor to drug overdose deaths. In 2021, there were nearly 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in California.

You can save lives and stop drug overdose by:

• Knowing the signs of an overdose:  
  
• Falling asleep or losing consciousness 
  
• Doesn’t respond to stimuli like shouting, a pinch or sternum rub
  
• Slow, weak or no breathing 
• Choking or gurgling sounds 
• Limp body 
• Cold and/or clammy skin 
  
• Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)  
  

• ​​​​Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils” ​
  

• Carrying naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is safe and easy to use and works almost immediately. It is now available over the counter, without a prescription at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.
  

• Knowing what’s in your drugs. Where available, get your drugs tested by a local drug checking program There are also at-home test strips available to look for fentanyl, xylazine and benzodiazepines.
  

• Never using alone. Get support from the Never Use Alone hotline at 1-800-484-3731​.
  

• Having regular conversations with teens, young people and loved ones about the risks associated with fentanyl and mixing drugs, and how to help respond to an overdose to reduce the stigma around seeking help, treatment and care.
  

• Sharing treatment resources, like the 24/7 National Helpline— 800-662-HELP (4357).
  

Learn more by visiting CDPH’s ​Fentanyl information page.

Use this tool​kit to share information about the risks of fentanyl and how to prevent overdose.

Additional Resources

​CDPH Material Co-brand Disclaimer 
Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) may co-brand materials created by CDPH (those in CDPH Office of Communications Toolkits) by adding their agency logo next to or near the CDPH logo. Be sure there is ample space between the two logos. Materials may not be altered or edited in any other way, including removal or adjustment of the CDPH logo.​

Media Spots

​​​	Video Protect yourself from the dangers of fentanyl :15 Protect yourself from the dangers of fentanyl :30​ Audio​ ​What Else :30 (MP3, 1.2MB)​

​Soci​​al Media

Use the following images and messaging on social media to raise awareness about fentanyl.

Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and “save as.”

​​	​1x1 Meta (PNG) 9x16 Meta (PNG) 9x16 Snapchat​ (PNG) Suggested Mes​​saging Learn to recognize the signs of overdose and use naloxone to save a life. go.CDPH.ca.gov/naloxone ​​

​	1x1 Meta (PNG) 9x16 Meta (PNG, 1MB) 9x16 Snapchat (PNG, 1MB) Social Media Messaging People are dying from fentanyl overdose without ever knowing fentanyl was in their drugs. go.CDPH.ca.gov/fentanyl ​​​

General Harm Reduction Mess​aging

​​ Suggested Messaging: Be a hero! Know how to recognize an opioid overdose and be ready with naloxone, the medication that can reverse an overdose. Naloxone is now available without a prescription at pharmacies, convenience stores and grocery stores. It’s safe and easy to administer. Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Naloxone.aspx​

​  Suggested Messaging:​ Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Narcan, the name brand of naloxone, is now available over the counter without a prescription. You can purchase it in pharmacies, convenience and grocery stores, gas stations and online. Learn more about naloxone at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Over-the-Counter-(OTC)-Naloxone.aspx

​​ Suggested Messaging: Language matters. Using “person-first” language like “person with a substance use disorder,” focuses on the person, not their condition. Reducing stigma increases the likelihood that people will seek support. https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions-education/words-matter-terms-to-use-avoid-when-talking-about-addiction

​ Suggested Messaging: You can save a life by knowing what to do if you think someone is experiencing an opioid overdose. Call 911 immediately Administer naloxone, if available (now available over the counter) Provide rescue breath if the person cannot breathe on their own When the person starts breathing, lay them on their side to prevent choking Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Naloxone.aspx

​    Suggested Messaging: After you call 911, rescue breathing can keep someone experiencing an opioid overdose alive until help arrives, even if you don’t have naloxone. Clear the airway Tilt the head back, lift the chin and pinch nose Give one breath every 5 seconds https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/responding-to-opioid-overdose/

​​ Suggested Messaging: Recovery from substance use disorder isn’t easy, but it is possible. Recovery can happen in a variety of ways through: Medication-assisted treatment Counseling and therapy Narcotic treatment programs Peer-led support groups on your own, without formal intervention If you our someone you love needs support around substance misuse, speak with a trusted medical provider or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health National Helpline at (800) 662-4257. Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/People-Who-Use-Drugs.aspx

​​Parent / Guardian Messaging​​

​ Suggested Messaging: Conversations can have a big impact. Talk to your teen about drugs and the risk of overdosing. Tips to start conversation:   Pick a neutral time with no distractions.  Be open and calm.  Be prepared and focus on the conversation.  Give teens the scientific facts and explain the reality and risks of using drugs.  Educate teens on naloxone, including how to use it and where to get it.    Express your love and care.   Learn more how to talk to your teens: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/opioids-facts-parents-need-to-know/starting-conversation   #StopTeenOverdose #TalkTheyHearYou #Fentanyl  Twitter Messaging: Conversations can have a big impact. Talk to your teen about drugs and the risk of overdosing. Be open and calm, give scientific facts, and Express your love and care. Learn tips to start the conversation: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/opioids-facts-parents-need-to-know/starting-conversation #Sto​pTeenOverdose

​ Suggested Messaging: Empower yourself and your teen with knowledge of how to stop drug overdoses and save lives. Talk with your teen about:   The dangers of fentanyl  The risks of mixing drugs  How naloxone can save lives  Reducing stigma around seeking help  Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose   #StopTeenOverdose #TalkTheyHearYou #Fentanyl Twitter Messaging: Empower your teen with knowledge to stop drug overdoses. Talk with your teen about:   Fentanyl  Risks of mixing drugs  How naloxone can save lives  Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose   #StopTeenOverdose #Fentanyl

​ Suggested Messaging: Does your teenager know the risks of opioid use? Some opioids like fentanyl are tasteless and odorless—even small amounts can cause an overdose. ANY pill bought through social media or even from a friend can contain deadly amounts of fentanyl. Start the conversation and #StopTeenOverdose #fentanyl   Learn more about fentanyl: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Fentanyl.aspx  Twitter Messaging: ​Does your teenager know the risks of opioid use? Some opioids like fentanyl are tasteless and odorless—even small amounts can cause an overdose. ANY pill bought through social media or from a friend can contain deadly amounts of fentanyl.  Learn more: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Fentanyl.aspx ​​

Spanish Social Media

​	​1x1 (JPG) 9x16​ (JPG) Suggested Messaging Aprende a reconocer las señales de una sobredosis y a usar naloxona para salvar una vida. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Naloxona.aspx ​
	​1x1 (JPG) 9x16 ​ (JPG) Suggested Messaging El fentanilo se ha encontrado en drogas como cocaína, metanfetaminas, MDMA y pastillas falsas de Xanax, Aderall y otras.​ https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Fentanilo.aspx​​

​Harm Reduction Messaging

​ Suggested Messaging: La recuperación del abuso de drogas no es fácil, pero es posible. La recuperación puede ocurrir de varias maneras a través de: Tratamiento con medicamentos Consejería y terapia Programas de tratamiento de narcóticos ​Si tú o un ser querido necesita apoyo para combatir el abuso de drogas, habla con un proveedor médico de confianza o llama a la Línea de Ayuda Nacional de Salud Mental y Abuso de Sustancias al (800) 662-4357. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/People-Who-Use-Drugs.aspx​ Twitter Messaging:  La recuperación del abuso de drogas no es fácil, pero es posible. La recuperación puede ocurrir a través de: Tratamiento con medicamentos Consejería y terapia Programas de tratamiento de narcóticos Habla con un proveedor médico de confianza o llama a la Línea de Ayuda Nacional de Salud Mental y Abuso de Sustancias al (800) 662-4357. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/People-Who-Use-Drugs.aspx​ ​Parent / Guardian Messaging​​ ​ Suggested Messaging: Las conversaciones pueden tener un gran impacto. Habla con tu hijo adolescente sobre las drogas y el riesgo de sobredosis. Esta es una droga potencialmente fatal que se encuentra en pastillas y polvos en una variedad de colores brillantes, formas y tamaños. Consejos para iniciar una conversación:  Elige un tiempo neutral sin distracciones.  Mantente abierto y calmado.  Prepárate y concéntrate en la conversación.  Explícale a tu hijo los hechos científicos, la realidad y los riesgos del uso de drogas.  Educa a tu hijo sobre la naloxona, incluyendo cómo usarla y dónde obtenerla.    Exprésale tu amor y preocupación.  Obtén más información sobre cómo hablar con tus hijos adolescentes: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/opioids-facts-parents-need-to-know/starting-conversation   #DeténLaSobredosisDeJóvenes #HablaTeEscuchan​ #Fentanilo  ​ Suggested Messaging: Empodérate a ti mismo y a tu hijo adolescente con información sobre cómo detener las sobredosis de drogas y salvar vidas. Habla con tu hijo adolescente sobre:   Los peligros del fentanilo  Los riesgos de mezclar drogas  Cómo la naloxona puede salvar vidas  Cómo reducir el estigma de pedir ayuda  Obtén más información aquí: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose ​ Suggested Messaging: ¿Tu hijo adolescente conoce los riesgos del consumo de opioides? Algunos opioides como el fentanilo son insípidos e inodoros, incluso pequeñas cantidades pueden causar una sobredosis. Recientemente, se ha encontrado "fentanilo arcoíris" en los Estados Unidos, incluyendo California. CUALQUIER pastilla comprada a través de las redes sociales o incluso de un amigo puede contener cantidades mortales de fentanilo. Empieza la conversación y #DeténLaSobredosisDeJóvenes  #fentalino  Obtén más información sobre el fentanilo: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Fentanyl.aspx ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​

Spanish

Suggested Messaging: ¡Sé un héroe! Aprende a reconocer una sobredosis y prepárate con naloxona, el medicamento que puede revertir una sobredosis. La naloxona ya está disponible sin receta en farmacias, tiendas y supermercados. Es segura y fácil de administrar https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/-Naloxone.aspx

Suggested Messaging:​ La naloxona es un medicamento que salva vidas y se usa para revertir una sobredosis de opioides. Narcan, la marca de naloxona, está disponible sin receta médica. Puedes comprarla en farmacias, tiendas y supermercados, estaciones de servicio y en línea.  at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Over-the-Counter-(OTC)-Naloxone.aspx

​​ Suggested Messaging: La forma en que hablas importa. El uso de “lenguaje que prioriza a la persona,” como “persona con un trastorno por uso de sustancias,” se centra en la persona, no en su condición. Reducir el estigma aumenta la probabilidad de que las personas busquen ayuda.  https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions-education/words-matter-terms-to-use-avoid-when-talking-about-addiction

​ Suggested Messaging: Puedes salvar una vida sabiendo qué hacer si crees que alguien está experimentando una sobredosis de opioides.   Llama al 911 inmediatamente  Administra naloxona, si está disponible (ahora se puede conseguir sin receta)  Proporciona respiración de rescate si la persona no puede respirar por sí misma  Cuando la persona comience a respirar, colócala de lado para evitar que se ahogue  Quédate con la persona hasta que llegue la asistencia de emergencia  Obtén más información: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Naloxone.aspx

​    Suggested Messaging: Después de llamar al 911, usando la respiración de rescate puede mantener viva a alguien que experimenta una sobredosis de opioides hasta que llegue ayuda, incluso si no tienes naloxona.   ​ Asegura que las vías respiratorias no estén bloqueadas  Inclina la cabeza hacia atrás, levanta la barbilla y apreta la nariz  Respira en su boca cada 5 segundos  https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/responding-to-opioid-overdose/