DEA San Diego and United Against Fentanyl Will Walk for Lives on July 11
More Than 100 Family-Led Community Events Planned Across All 50 States
San Diego– The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Field Division and United Against Fentanyl (UAF) will host a local Walk for Lives 2026 event at Saint Charles Catholic Church, 990 Saturn Blvd. San Diego, CA 92154, on July 11, 2026 in support of DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative.
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. More than 100 events are taking place across the country and 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.
“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.”
“Fentanyl has devastated families and communities for too long,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge James M. Nunnallee. “Walk for Lives is an opportunity for all of us - public safety, public health, parents, and community - to come together and create a future that is fentanyl free. DEA San Diego is proud to collaborate with United Against Fentanyl and our local partners for a day of education, outreach, and prevention. Together, we can end the fentanyl crisis.”
“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.”
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.
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.
