Fentanyl has become an American tragedy. The synthetic opioid drug was originally meant as a pharmaceutical to be prescribed for pain relief. People then began using the drug recreationally, and many deaths today are linked to illegally-manufactured fentanyl.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 150 people die per day due to overdoses related to fentanyl or other synthetic opioids. The drug is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and it has especially harmed working class neighborhoods.

The American Trucking Association and its charity arm the Trucking Cares Foundation are donating to help the cause.

The Trucking Cares Foundation has donated $25,000 to Voices for Awareness, a nonprofit that raises awareness and aims to fight illegally-manufactured fentanyl.

Phil Byrd, Chairman of the Trucking Cares Foundation and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express, commented, “Our citizens, employees, and families are being devastated by this evil drug and I’m proud that TCF has decided to get involved in this critical need.”

One of the goals of Voices for Awareness is to make people aware that many other drugs are laced with fentanyl, making them even more deadly. Even drugs that have some degree of legality, such as Adderall or marijuana, may be laced with deadly illegally-manufactured fentanyl.

The Trucking Cares Foundation has made many contributions to good causes, including humanitarian relief and fighting human trafficking. Given how widespread the fentanyl crisis has become, the issue is one that may strike many truck drivers close to home. Hopefully this money can go to raise more awareness of this opioid plague.