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. DEA’s observation of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day will include extended DEA Museum hours and the Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, August 21.

"Every day that I walk into DEA Headquarters, I am reminded of the enormous toll of the fentanyl crisis. Thousands of faces make up DEA's Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit, and each month we receive hundreds of new photos,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “I've also met remarkable parents who have turned their grief into action – educating communities, advocating for change, and saving lives. Parents are our most powerful allies in this fight, and together, we will build a Fentanyl Free America."

The Faces of Fentanyl memorial exhibit is a representation of the faces of Americans – all ages, all races, and all backgrounds – who have been lost to the synthetic opioid crisis. More than 7,000 photos are displayed throughout the exhibit, which was enhanced last year by the addition of a new, interactive online exhibit, which is accessible at dea.gov/facesoffentanyl. 

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.

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.