“The Ripple Effect,” a nine-part documentary blog series, was created in response to the alarming rise in fentanyl overdoses and poisonings. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County Department of Health Services’ Behavioral Health Division is celebrating a major national win after its Safer Sacramento Team earned a 2025 Shorty Impact Award for “The Ripple Effect” documentary blog series.

The Shorty Awards honor the most influential and purpose-driven digital campaigns in the world, recognizing work that creates real social impact through storytelling, creativity and community engagement. Receiving this award places Sacramento County’s project among the top public-health campaigns nationwide.

“The Ripple Effect,” a nine-part documentary blog series, was created in response to the alarming rise in fentanyl overdoses and poisonings. Safer Sacramento wanted to cut through the noise using short-form video format to shed light on the fentanyl crisis, the heartbreak of loss and the strength of community.

The county’s research shows that the raw, honest storytelling and deep connection in “The Ripple Effect” helped reduce fentanyl-related deaths in Sacramento County by 27 percent. That number isn’t just a statistic; it represents lives saved, families kept intact and futures realized.

Every installment carried a call to action: links to resources for treatment and recovery and people responded. “The Ripple Effect” has more than 19,000 clicks to the county’s support services page and more than 41,000 visits to educational content.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. More than 101,000 people engaged, not just with likes and shares, but with their hearts. They shared personal stories in the comments: those of grief, survival and hope. Some were heartbreaking. Some were healing. And through it all, Safer Sacramento connected them with services: bereavement support, trauma care or someone to say, “I understand and want to help.”

“This has been an exciting, passionate and heartfelt project,” said Lori Miller, the Behavioral Health Services’ Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Division division manager.

“It was an honor to be part of this meaningful and impactful work and the success of this documentary. A huge thank you to all the community partners and the family members who have lost loved ones and bravely shared their stories in hopes of saving lives. Congratulations to Sacramento County,” Miller said.

This is just one of the many efforts Sacramento County is working on to combat the fentanyl crisis. To watch “The Ripple Effect” series or to learn more, visit the Safer Sacramento page online at safersacramento.com/the-ripple-effect. To get involved in the Safer Sacramento Project or share your story, email Miller at [email protected].

One call connects you to mental health and substance use treatment support. Sacramento County’s Behavior Health Services-SAC Call Center is available to connect you with the services you need at 916-875-1055.