United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WINONA, Minn. – More than 250 people walked in Winona today, as part of a nationwide Walk for Lives event hosted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Field Division and United Against in Fentanyl (UAF) in coordination with RIPple Drug Education and Awareness Inc. Community members from across the state walked to raise awareness to the dangers of fentanyl while also honoring and remembering loved ones lost to the synthetic drug. 

Prior to the walk, members of the DEA Omaha Field Division handed out educational resources and answered questions about fentanyl and other drugs endangering Minnesota communities. Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie provided remarks and led the group out of Windom Park on a one-and-a-half mile walk down Harriet Street. 

“The turnout today was tremendous,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said. “When voices join together, like they did today, change is possible. The DEA is honored to support the work of our community members and walk in solidarity against a drug so dangerous, it threatens families in every town, city and village in the United States.”

The DEA and UAF hosted Walk for Lives events at more than 100 locations nationwide. This national partnership with UAF is in support of DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative.

Walk for Lives events were 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 featured 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-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. 

For free prevention resources and educational materials visit  DEA.gov/fentanylfree