A trucking charitable foundation took its anti-drug message to what is often called "The Crossroads of The World": New York City's Times Square.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, the Trucking Cares Foundation joined Facing Fentanyl and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Times Square to focus attention on the threat posed by the epidemic of illicit, deadly fentanyl. Family members of fentanyl victims shared their stories, and organizers distributed naloxone, the life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
A TCF Fentanyl Awareness trailer served as a backdrop for a press conference and was also featured on one of Times Square’s iconic billboards. Following the event, the trailer was positioned outside DEA’s NYC office for display before America’s Road Team Captains drove it back to its owner, Ability Tri Modal based in Ladson, South Carolina.
“The ATA family and trucking at large are determined to do their part to alleviate the fentanyl crisis that is devastating our employees, families, neighbors, and communities” said American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President of Federation Relations John Lynch. “The Trucking Cares Foundation was proud to increase the visibility of this issue by showcasing our new fentanyl PSA trailer wrap in Times Square. Now we need the trucking industry’s help to create rolling billboards on highways from coast to coast that will save lives.”
Fentanyl poisoning claims the lives of over 70,000 Americans each year, with a fentanyl-related death occurring approximately once every five minutes. It continues to be the number one killer of adults 18-45, and children under 14 are dying of fentanyl poisoning faster than any other age group. More than 115 million pills containing illicit fentanyl were seized by law enforcement last year, 2,300 times more than the roughly 50,000 seized in 2017.
Motor carriers can join the fight on fentanyl by purchasing trailer wraps with fentanyl PSAs featuring messages from families who have lost loved ones to illicit fentanyl poisonings.
To help maximize the impact of the campaign and expand its reach to as many roadways as possible, TCF and Facing Fentanyl partnered with Lowen to provide a significant discount of up to 40%. The campaign features five different graphic design options for 53’ trailers. These graphics are produced using premium 3M vinyl protected with a film laminate.
For more information about the wraps, click here.
