SEATTLE – On Friday, August 21, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will join Facing Fentanyl, to unite families, communities, and organizations across the country in recognizing National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the national observance which honors and remembers the lives lost to fentanyl poisoning.

This year’s theme, “Power of the Parent,” recognizes the critical role parents and families play in shaping conversations, raising awareness, and helping protect loved ones. Their voices make a meaningful impact: One Nation. One Fight. Facing Fentanyl. Together.

This day serves as a nationwide call to action to increase awareness to the highly addictive and dangerous drugs containing fentanyl that continue to drive the opioid epidemic and take lives.

Fentanyl-related deaths have declined over the past several years, yet fentanyl remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-45 years old. Last year, DEA intensified its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of its Fentanyl Free America initiative.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration held its inaugural Fentanyl Free America Summit in Orlando, Florida, last month including leaders in law enforcement, prevention, public health, education, recovery, faith communities, and more than 350 youth – to strengthen the nation’s coordinated response to the fentanyl crisis. 

The Fentanyl Free America Awards recognize individuals and organizations, nominated by their peers, for their important work in support of one or more of the three pillars of the Fentanyl Free America Campaign: Protect, Prevent, and Support.

• Protect by disrupting criminal organizations, maintaining a secure controlled substance supply chain, and strengthening public partnerships.
• Prevent overdose and poisoning deaths by expanding evidence-based education, empowering youth leaders, and building sustainable community prevention capacity.
• Support the families and loved ones impacted by fentanyl, engage faith-based communities, and ensure those affected by substance use have pathways to hope and healing. 

This year’s Fentanyl Free America Award recipients included two Pacific Northwest mothers who lost their children to fentanyl poisoning. These awardees have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and measurable impact in protecting communities from the deadly effects of illicit fentanyl. 

Sandy Snodgrass and Alaska Fentanyl Response won the organization award for Excellence in Prevention.

Alaska Fentanyl Response is a nationally recognized leader in fentanyl prevention, education, and advocacy whose impact has transformed communities across Alaska and beyond. Founded by clinical psychologist Sandy Snodgrass following the tragic loss of her son, Bruce Snodgrass, to fentanyl poisoning in 2021, Alaska Fentanyl Response has turned personal tragedy into a powerful movement for prevention, education, legislative action, and youth intervention. Sandy Snodgrass has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the fight against illicit fentanyl by building one of the most impactful grassroots prevention efforts in the country. Drawing on her professional background as a clinical psychologist and her personal experience as a grieving mother, Sandy has developed and delivered science-informed prevention messaging that resonates with students, families, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers alike. In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the organization has delivered more than 50 “One Pill Can Kill” presentations across over 30 schools, directly reaching more than 20,000 students throughout Alaska. These presentations educate middle and high school students about the dangers of counterfeit pills, fentanyl-laced illicit drugs, overdose prevention, and life-saving intervention strategies. Sandy works regularly with the DEA, local government leaders, U.S. Senators, the Alaska Governor, educators, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations to strengthen prevention infrastructure throughout the state. These partnerships have amplified the organization’s reach and ensured that prevention efforts are coordinated, strategic, and sustainable. Perhaps the organization’s most historic achievement is the passage of Bruce’s Law, named in honor of Sandy’s son. After years of tireless advocacy by Sandy and Alaska Fentanyl Response, the legislation was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025. Bruce’s Law authorizes a national public education campaign through the Department of Health and Human Services, establishes a federal interagency working group to improve overdose response, supports prevention education in schools, expands Naloxone access, and provides grant funding to community coalitions nationwide. Through measurable outcomes including over 20,000 students reached, statewide coalition development, federal policy advancement, and increased awareness of Narcan accessibility, Alaska Fentanyl Response has established itself as a model for fentanyl prevention in America. For its visionary leadership, youth engagement, collaborative partnerships, and measurable impact, they are deserving of the Fentanyl Free America Prevention Award. 

Laura Lynch, of Bellevue, Washington won the individual award for Excellence in Prevention.

Laura Lynch has emerged as one of Washington state’s most courageous and influential voices in fentanyl prevention, turning unimaginable personal tragedy into a mission that is saving lives, educating communities, and shaping public policy. Following the devastating loss of her 18-year-old daughter, Brillion Lynch, to fentanyl poisoning, Laura made the extraordinary decision to transform her grief into action. Laura has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fentanyl prevention by helping develop and deliver evidence-based education initiatives focused on the dangers of counterfeit pills and illicit fentanyl. Working closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division, Laura has become a trusted partner in one of the region’s most impactful public awareness campaigns. Alongside DEA Seattle leadership, including Special Agent in Charge Robert Saccone and Community Outreach Specialist Marcus Pickett, Laura has helped deliver more than 25 “One Pill Can Kill” presentations across over 20 public and private schools throughout Western Washington, directly educating more than 30,000 students. By sharing Brillion’s story, she helps students and parents understand that fentanyl poisoning is not an abstract crisis, it is a deadly reality impacting families in every community. She has presented to youth organizations, including local leadership groups such as Young Men's Service League, participated in DEA Seattle’s Family Summits on Fentanyl, and spoken to community coalitions, parents, educators, and civic leaders throughout Washington state. Laura has also built meaningful partnerships across education, public health, law enforcement, media, and government. She has worked tirelessly with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to advocate for stronger federal legislation designed to protect families from fentanyl and other illicit substances. Her willingness to engage policymakers at the highest levels has helped elevate fentanyl prevention as a legislative priority. Her advocacy has also reached thousands through media awareness efforts. Laura has appeared in more than five local television news features, in addition to coverage from major regional media outlets, helping to amplify prevention messaging to families throughout the Pacific Northwest. Through measurable outcomes including more than 30,000 students reached, more than 25 prevention presentations delivered, statewide coalition building, national advocacy, and legislative engagement, Laura Lynch has demonstrated extraordinary impact. Her courage, leadership, and unwavering dedication have made her one of America’s most effective voices in fentanyl prevention, deserving of the Fentanyl Free America Prevention Award.

Submissions for all the nominees and award recipients can be found at https://www.dea.gov/fentanyl-free-america-awards. 

While overdose deaths continue to trend downward nationally, leaders throughout the summit emphasized that progress is not victory. Sustaining that momentum will require continued enforcement against terrorist drug cartels, investment in community-based prevention, support for recovery, and strong partnerships across every sector. 

DEA urges the public to remain cognizant of the extreme threat of fentanyl in our communities:

• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. 
• Just two milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of salt, is a potentially lethal dose.
• The Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, both designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations in 2025, are pressing fentanyl into counterfeit pills that look like prescription medications – such as oxycodone, Xanax, and Percocet – as well as mixing fentanyl powder with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. 
• Many of the people poisoned by fentanyl had no idea they were even taking it.
• The only safe medications are ones that come from licensed and accredited medical professionals.

The DEA Museum and Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit are located at 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Va., 22202. There is metered street parking around the building and a parking garage at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City across the street. 

If you would like to submit a photo of a loved one lost to fentanyl, please visit the Faces of Fentanyl web page, click on Add a Photo to the Exhibit | Faces of Fentanyl and follow the instructions.

For more information about fentanyl and how you can join the fight, visit Fentanyl Free America | DEA.gov and One Pill Can Kill. DEA resources are all available for public use. 

Help spread awareness about the dangers of fentanyl by posting a photo on social media using the hashtag #FentanylAwarenessDay.

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Please see attached document.

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