Fake Is Real | About Northampton County’s Fentanyl Awareness Campaign

About

Spreading Awareness, Resources and Education.

January 23, 2023

Fake Is Real Launches.

Our bold new public health campaign begins—sparking conversation and action around fentanyl awareness in Northampton County.

February 20, 2023

Community Narcan Trainings Begin.

We start offering free Narcan trainings across the community. Since then, we've trained 588 people to respond and save a life.

May 10, 2023

First Community Event: West Ward Market.

Fake Is Real hits the streets, meeting neighbors and raising awareness face-to-face.

August 31, 2023

First Narcan Drive-Thru at the DHS Building.

We provided an easy, no-contact solution to access free, life-saving Narcan—because every second counts.

September 30, 2023

First Live Well Be Well Community Event.

We teamed up with local partners to bring substance use, mental health and wellness resources and support to families at Easton Middle School.

November 2023

Deterra Pouches Mailed to County Residents.

We distributed Deterra to households across Northampton County. Safe medication disposal made simple.

January 31, 2024

Narcan Distribution Boxes Installed.

We expanded access by placing Narcan distribution boxes throughout the county—distributing 3,405 boxes of Narcan in 2024 alone.

May 7, 2024

Medication Take-Back Drive-Thru at SteelStacks.

Residents safely cleaned out their medicine cabinets by brining old or unused medications to our team.

July 13, 2024

Medication Lock Box Distribution Begins.

Keeping medications secure saves lives, and we gave out 157 lock boxes just in 2024.

November 11, 2024

First Narcan Training for Businesses.

Being prepared in the event of an emergency can saves lives, and we are helping workplaces step up as first responders.

March 20, 2025

First Older Adult Training Held.

We have trained 167 older adults on safe medication practices, proper disposal, and how to use NARCAN.

April 15-17, 2025

Participated in Collegiate Recovery Week.

Fake Is Real visited Lafayette College, Moravian University, NCC, and Lehigh University to connect with students, share tools, and spark real conversations.

Our Story

Launched in 2023, Fake Is Real was created in response to the rise in deaths caused by fake pills and synthetic opioids. The campaign is funded by opioid settlement dollars, secured in part through a national lawsuit that included then-District Attorney Terry Houck. County Executive Lamont McClure has been a strong supporter of the initiative from the start.

Operated by the Northampton County Drug & Alcohol Division, Fake Is Real focuses on prevention, education, and access to life-saving tools like Narcan. With continued funding and community support, we’re here to stay. There’s more work to do — and every life saved reminds us why we started.

Our Mission

To provide straightforward, fact-based information that reduces harm from fentanyl-laced drugs and counterfeit prescription pills. We do it by giving young adults and community members the information necessary to save a life.

Our Goal

To understand how Northampton County compares to state and national overdose trends. Using data from NIDA and the CDC helps identify where we stand and supports our targeted prevention and treatment initiatives.

Drug Overdose Deaths in Northampton County in 2024 (Down from 78 in 2023)

Individuals trained at our NARCAN Training sessions since campaign start in 2023

Boxes of NARCAN Distributed by Northampton County since campaign start in 2023

Deterra pouches mailed to Northampton County residents in 2023 & 2024

Our Pillars

Lordicon

Reduce harm and end use.

Lordicon

Facilitate a community of survivors.

Lordicon

Educate and prepare people about fentanyl poisoning.

Brought to You By

Follow + Share