HOUSTON – Families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl-related deaths will join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and United Against Fentanyl this weekend for a community walk aimed at raising awareness and connecting people with prevention, recovery and grief support resources.
The Walk for Lives event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, at Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby St.
The Houston event is one of more than 100 family-led Walk for Lives events being held across the country as part of the DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative, a nationwide campaign focused on prevention, education and support.
Organizers say the event is designed to bring together families, community members, health professionals and law enforcement to honor those lost to fentanyl while providing resources that could help save lives.
What to expect
The free event will include:
- A one-mile community walk
- Testimonials from families impacted by fentanyl-related deaths
- Educational presentations from experts
- A community resource fair featuring prevention education, recovery support and grief counseling
According to the DEA, the walks are organized by bereaved family members, many of whom lost children to fentanyl-related poisonings, and are supported by volunteers and community partners.
Why organizers say it matters
The DEA says fentanyl-related overdoses and poisonings remain the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. The agency also says an average of nine high school students die each week from a drug-related death, and more than one million parents in the United States have lost a child to a drug-related death.
The Walk for Lives initiative is intended to increase awareness of the dangers of illicit fentanyl while connecting families and individuals with education, treatment and support services.
How to participate
Community members interested in attending can register and find additional Walk for Lives locations at Walkforlives.org.
The DEA also offers free fentanyl prevention and educational resources through its Fentanyl Free America initiative.