United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON –Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and United Against Fentanyl (UAF) announced a national partnership in support of DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative. Walk for Lives 2026 is a coordinated series of more than 100 family-led community events across the United States on July 11, 2026.  These events aim to bring increased attention to one of the country’s greatest public safety and health threats by uniting the federal government’s lead drug enforcement agency with the nation’s largest non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to ending the fentanyl crisis.

Walk for Lives events are organized by bereaved family members - typically parents who lost children to fentanyl-related deaths – and supported by trained volunteer leadership teams and community partners from the public and private sector. Each event will feature a one-mile walk, family testimonials, expert-led educational presentations, and a community resource fair connecting participants to lifesaving services including prevention education, recovery support, and grief counseling.

The partnership advances DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative, which launched in 2025 to combat the synthetic drug crisis through three pillars: Protect, Prevent, and Support. Walk for Lives delivers on all three pillars by protecting communities through awareness, preventing fentanyl poisonings through education, and supporting those most impacted through direct access to local resources.

Fentanyl-related overdoses and poisonings remain the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45.  On average, nine high school students die each week from a drug-related death.  More than one million parents throughout the United States grieve the loss of a child to a drug-related death. 

Since the launch of the Fentanyl Free America initiative, DEA has seized 22 million fentanyl pills and 3,330 kilograms of fentanyl powder. 

Walk for Lives 2026 builds on UAF’s current momentum and proven results. In September 2025, UAF hosted its inaugural Walk for Lives, which mobilized 46 walks across 26 states, engaging approximately 3,000 participants. 

“Fentanyl Free America is a nationwide effort to save lives and protect Americans from the deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced,” said DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole. “In partnership with United Against Fentanyl, communities across the country will participate in hundreds of awareness and education events on a single day, demonstrating that prevention is everyone’s responsibility. By working together and speaking with one voice we can raise awareness, prevent future tragedies, support affected families, and build a safer, healthier, and Fentanyl Free America.”

“I’ve watched DEA show unwavering support to survivors while delivering lifesaving education nationwide,” said Paul Martin, Founder and CEO of UAF. “Walk for Lives shows that when families, law enforcement, healthcare providers, faith communities, educators, businesses, and nonprofits unite, our reach grows. This partnership underscores the importance of public and private sectors standing together against the leading killer of young Americans.”

Visit Walkforlives.org to learn how to get involved in Walk for Lives 2026, including locations and registration. For free prevention resources and educational materials visit  DEA.gov/fentanylfree.

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