The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host its inaugural Fentanyl Free America Summit in Orlando, Florida, from July 13-16, 2026, alongside CADCA’s 25th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute, aiming to combat the nation's ongoing fentanyl crisis. This joint event seeks to integrate enforcement with prevention and public awareness, addressing both the supply and demand sides of the deadly drug threat.
Grounding its efforts in the campaign’s three pillars—Protect, Prevent, and Support—the summit will highlight national strategies to disrupt illicit fentanyl supply chains, strengthen prevention efforts, and unify communities. Fentanyl remains the primary driver of the nation’s overdose crisis, claiming approximately 120 lives daily and standing as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole emphasized the urgency, saying, "Fentanyl Free America is a national call to action to confront the deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced." He added that the summit "brings together leaders from law enforcement, prevention, public health, education, and community organizations to strengthen partnerships, share proven approaches, and coordinate the actions needed to save lives." CADCA President and CEO General Barrye L. Price, Ph.D., affirmed, "CADCA, and our scores of prevention coalitions, stand proudly with DEA in the shared purpose of protecting communities from fentanyl poisoning." The co-located events are expected to draw over 2,500 attendees.
Attendees will engage in expert panels, educational sessions, and networking opportunities, with DEA’s Excellence in Protection Awards also presented to honor outstanding work in combating fentanyl. Registration for both events is currently open, with early bird pricing available until June 9, 2026, as leaders aim for a unified, whole-of-nation response to achieve a Fentanyl Free America.