United Against Fentanyl Coordinates Hundreds of Families From 40 States to Washington for Hill Day and Walk For Lives

Weekend to bring together families, advocates, policymakers and experts for congressional advocacy, Walk For Lives DC, and the Summit on Synthetic Drugs

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- United Against Fentanyl (UAF) is uniting families, advocates, community leaders, and experts from across the country to Washington, D.C., September 25–26, for two days of advocacy, awareness, remembrance and education, all focused on ending fentanyl deaths.

Under the banner “ONE WEEKEND. ONE MISSION. ONE MOVEMENT," the 2026 UAF Washington, D.C. Weekend brings together three major events: Hill Day on Capitol Hill, Walk for Lives on The Mall, and the Summit on Synthetic Drugs at Georgetown University's Capitol campus.

“Families across this country have turned unimaginable loss into action, and they want Washington to hear them,” said Paul Martin, Founder and CEO of UAF. “This weekend is about bringing those voices together — not as statistics, but as families, communities and Americans asking for meaningful action. Hundreds from nearly 40 states have booked so far, with more coming in daily. We believe a massive crisis demands a massive response and in two weeks the families will be here leading the way."

FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES TAKE THEIR VOICES TO CAPITOL HILL — SEPTEMBER 25

On Friday, September 25, families and advocates from across the United States will take their message directly to Capitol Hill, meeting with congressional offices and urging federal leaders to confront the continuing threat posed by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

Participants will share personal experiences, discuss the impact on their communities and advocate for common sense policies aimed at preventing future deaths. Those unable to travel to Washington can also have their voices carried to Capitol Hill through UAF’s "Dear Washington" initiative. Letters submitted by families and advocates are being organized by state and will be carried to Washington for delivery to congressional offices during Hill Day.

WALK FOR LIVES BRINGS A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO WASHINGTON — SEPTEMBER 26

On Saturday, September 26, families, advocates and supporters will gather in Washington for Walk for Lives DC, the culmination of the 2026 Walk for Lives campaign. On July 11, the national walk was hosted in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which joined UAF and community organizers as more than 100 walks nationwide brought together over 9,000 participants.

Participants will walk on the National Mall carrying the names, photographs and stories of loved ones lost to fentanyl and other synthetic drugs while survivors, families and advocates will speak to raise awareness, reduce stigma, promote prevention, and demand action.

A powerful part of the gathering will be “The Shoes They Left Behind,” a memorial representing lives lost and the families forever changed.

After communities across America walked locally in July, the September gathering brings those voices and stories together in the nation’s capital.

SUMMIT ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS CONTINUES THE CONVERSATION — SEPTEMBER 26

Following the Walk, UAF will convene the Summit on Synthetic Drugs from 4-8 PM at Georgetown University Capitol Campus in Washington, D.C. The Summit will bring families and advocates into the same conversation with experts and leaders examining the evolving synthetic-drug landscape and the policies, prevention strategies, public-awareness efforts and solutions needed to address it. The event is free and open to registered participants, with advance registration required and seating limited.

United Against Fentanyl invites families, advocates, policymakers, community organizations, prevention leaders and members of the public to participate.

2026 UAF Washington, D.C. Weekend
Friday, September 25, Hill Day on Capitol Hill
Saturday morning, September 26, Walk for Lives on the National Mall
Saturday evening, September 26, Summit on Synthetic Drugs, Georgetown University Capitol Campus

Media Opportunities
Credentialed and working members of the media are invited to cover UAF Washington, D.C. Weekend. Interview opportunities may include UAF leadership, participating families, advocates, state leaders, and subject-matter experts.

Media contact:
Stephanie Irene Hellstern
National Marketing Director
United Against Fentanyl
stephanie@unitedagainstfentanyl.org
682-214-4561

About United Against Fentanyl
United Against Fentanyl is a nonpartisan organization uniting families, advocates, organizations and communities to address the fentanyl and synthetic-drug crisis through advocacy, awareness, education, collaboration and action. Through national initiatives including Walk for Lives and its growing network of families and advocates, UAF works to elevate lived experience, advance solutions, and all in order prevent fentanyl deaths.

For more information, visit www.unitedagainstfentanyl.org.

Stephanie Irene Hellstern
United Against Fentanyl
+1 682-214-4561
email us here
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