A Community United Against Fentanyl

“You never think this will happen to you. You never think this will be your kid. You know that you’re holding up a picture. That’s all you got, your pictures and your memories. You don’t have them physically here no more and that’s the worst pain ever.”

With those words, Stephanie Boatright, who lost her son Izaya to fentanyl, opened the 2025 Fentanyl Awareness and Action Summit. Her voice was one of many: from parents, professionals, youth and community leaders, who reminded the audience that fentanyl doesn’t discriminate. The stories were raw and painful, but they carried a shared purpose: saving lives.

On Sept. 4, more than 400 people gathered for the annual Summit, hosted by Sacramento County Department of Health Services with partners including the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition, Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society, Safer Sacramento, Sac Metro Fire and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The theme “Coming Together, Embracing Solutions, Strengthening our Response” was echoed in hopeful news: fentanyl-related deaths in Sacramento County have declined by 32 percent in the past year.

But the work is far from over. The Summit made it clear that the next steps are about education, prevention and action.

Here’s what every Sacramento County resident should know:

• Help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, visit Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services for support and resources.
• Be cautious. Fentanyl is present in counterfeit pills and other street drugs. Never take pills that aren’t prescribed directly to you.
• Carry Narcan. This life-saving medication can reverse an overdose. It’s available through Safer Sacramento and the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition.
• Get involved. Join the Coalition at sacopioidcoalition.org, participate in outreach events, or share your story with the Department of Health Services.
• Stay informed. Learn more at SaferSacramento.com and read the Ripple Effect blog.

The Summit was a reminder that the fentanyl crisis is not abstract, it’s personal. Families like Stephanie’s carry the weight of loss, but their courage in speaking out lights the path forward. By learning, acting and standing together, Sacramento County is showing that real change is possible and lives can be saved.