JOLIET, IL — The Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division has partnered with the Frontier League’s Joliet Slammers professional baseball team to host a local United Against Fentanyl Walk for Lives 2026 event at Slammers Stadium in Joliet on Saturday, July 11.
The Joliet Walk for Lives will begin with a pregame community parade around the warning track prior to the Joliet Slammers’ 5:05 p.m. game, demonstrating a shared commitment to raising awareness, honoring lives lost to fentanyl poisonings, and supporting prevention efforts across Illinois.
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 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.”
“Every life lost to a fentanyl poisoning is a tragedy that leaves a lasting impact on families, friends and entire communities,” said Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division. “Through Walk for Lives and the Fentanyl Free America initiative, we are working alongside community leaders, educators, prevention specialists and families to raise awareness, provide resources and prevent future tragedies. Together, we can save lives through education, engagement and action.”
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.
“I am walking to save lives by raising awareness and warning others of the dangers associated with fentanyl,” said Aleise Ruttenberg, regional organizer for the Walk for Lives event at Slammers Stadium. “Three years ago, I had my first encounter with fentanyl when it robbed the life of my 18-year-old son. Since then, spreading awareness has been imperative to eliminate the repercussions fentanyl leaves behind. Fentanyl does not discriminate. It steals lives, ruins families, erases futures and crushes dreams.”
Over 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.
"The Joliet Slammers are honored to partner with the DEA Chicago Field Division and United Against Fentanyl to help raise awareness about an issue that has impacted families and communities across our country," said Night Train Veeck, Executive Vice President and Partner of the Joliet Slammers.
"As a community organization, we believe sports can bring people together around causes that matter. We are proud to welcome participants to Slammers Stadium on July 11 as we stand with families, advocates, and community leaders in support of education, awareness, and prevention.”
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 Walkforlives.org to learn how to get involved in Walk for Lives 2026, including locations and registration. For free prevention resources and educational materials, visit DEA.gov/fentanylfree.
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