Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the winners of the FentAlert Challenge today. The challenge was aimed at inspiring innovative ideas from U.S. youth, aged 14-18, to develop a community strategy for educating their peers about fentanyl and counterfeit pills, thereby preventing drug overdose deaths. This initiative supports primary prevention efforts prioritized in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Overdose Prevention Strategy, a key component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda’s focus on combating the opioid crisis. The Challenge received nearly 200 entries from across the country.
This announcement marked the launch of National Prevention Week (NPW) (May 12-18), an event that celebrates the potential of prevention science and provides a platform to showcase substance use prevention activities nationwide.
“It is incredibly appropriate that we launch National Prevention Week by lifting up youth voices and recognizing their work to raise awareness about the dangers of substance use and fake pills,” said Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. “We received almost 200 submissions to the FentAlert Challenge from young people across the country. They are outstanding examples of the life-saving role every person, regardless of age, can play in their communities to promote prevention.”
“The FentAlert Challenge is the first federal competition that raises voices of youth to engage their peers with messages that resonate. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s challenge,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and SAMHSA leader. “The Challenge and National Prevention Week support a key pillar of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy by highlighting successes and providing resources for primary prevention activities in communities across America.”
The U.S. is currently grappling with an evolving overdose crisis, partly fueled by an influx of counterfeit pills containing illicitly made fentanyl and other substances, such as xylazine. Among adolescents aged 10-19, monthly drug overdose deaths rose by 109% from 2019 to 2021.
Substance use has never been riskier, whether it's someone's first time using or someone with a substance use disorder. Fentanyl, counterfeit pills, and overdose are challenges that communities nationwide are striving to address. For the first time, SAMHSA’s FentAlert Challenge provides a platform for youth to initiate and help guide the conversation in their own community. The Challenge promotes a bottom-up, peer-led approach - with ideas not only for youth but by youth.
The top six submissions will each receive a $5,000 prize, and up to 25 entries will receive a $2,000 honorable mention prize. The links to the top six videos are also featured on SAMHSA’s website.
During National Prevention Week, SAMHSA offers resources for communities to engage in year-round prevention efforts. These resources include virtual events, an event planning toolkit, downloadable games and activities, and #MyPreventionStory - an opportunity for individuals and organizations to share a prevention story on social media.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
