The United States Postal Service (USPS) will soon issue a new semipostal stamp—a fundraising stamp that covers the cost of postage plus an amount dedicated to charity—aimed at raising money for fentanyl awareness.
In a September 6 press release, USPS said the stamps will be introduced at a “Know the Facts About Fentanyl” event at the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland, on October 6. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps will help to advance research and raise awareness about the fentanyl overdose epidemic.
“For years, fentanyl has fueled a national crisis, deeply affecting families and communities. But with growing awareness, improved resources, and greater access to treatment and recovery support, progress is being made,” USPS explained.The agency continued: “With the ‘Know the Facts About Fentanyl’ semipostal, the U.S. Postal Service will raise funds for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health, to advance research and raise awareness to combat the ongoing overdose epidemic while providing a message encouraging hope, healing, and recovery.”
It also noted that news of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #FentanylSemipostalStamp.
Because the stamp is semipostal, rather than a standard first-class stamp, it will be priced slightly higher than regular postage. A sheet of 20 stamps costs $20, and the excess money collected after the costs of printing and processing will go toward the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the description of the new stamp explained.
The postage’s artwork was inspired by an illustration by Whitney Sherman and designed by Postal Service art director Antonio Alcalá. A message on the stamp reads: “Know the Facts about Fentanyl—Protect Our Loved Ones.”
Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose death in the U.S., with nearly 48,000 deaths from the drug in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2020 and 2024, 75% of overdose deaths among those ages 10 to 19 involved the synthetic drug.
Previous semipostal stamps have included causes like funding research for breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, honoring 9/11 emergency relief heroes, supporting programs that help victims of domestic violence, and more.
