United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Albuquerque, New Mexico – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Field Division and United Against Fentanyl (UAF) Rio Rancho Chapter will host a local Walk for Lives 2026 event at Haynes Community Center and Park on July 11, 2026 from 4-6 p.m. 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.”

“We are proud to support this national event in New Mexico,” said Mark Putnam, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division, which covers the entire state of New Mexico and 17 counties of West Texas. “Families who have lost a loved one to illicit fentanyl have truly turned their pain into positive activism and awareness. We are happy to stand with them on this walk.”

“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.”

“I organized a Walk for Lives last year in memory of my son Austin,” said Kelly Opp, the local UAF Walk for Lives family organizer. “I am extremely happy and thankful to have the DEA partner with us this year. We hope many families from all over New Mexico come and join us that day.”

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 www.walkforlives.org to learn how to get involved in the 2026 Rio Rancho Walk for Lives. For free prevention resources and educational materials visit www.dea.gov/fentanylfree.