KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI) — Community members are being invited to take part in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about opioid addiction, fentanyl dangers and overdose prevention during a Walk for Lives event this weekend in Knoxville.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the nonprofit organization United Against Fentanyl are partnering to host the event on Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. until noon at Covenant Health Park, home of the Knoxville Smokies.
The event will feature a community walk, educational booths, prevention resources and opportunities for residents to speak with first responders and community organizations about substance misuse prevention and recovery support. Knoxville Smokies mascots are also expected to greet participants.
Organizers say Walk for Lives is designed to honor lives lost to opioid-related overdoses while educating the public about the continuing dangers posed by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
The Knoxville event is one of more than 100 Walk for Lives events being held across the country this year. The initiative was launched by the DEA and United Against Fentanyl in 2025 as part of a national campaign to increase awareness about the opioid crisis.
Recent local data show fentanyl remains a leading factor in drug-related deaths across East Tennessee, although officials say there have been encouraging signs of progress.
According to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center’s most recent Drug Related Death Report, fentanyl and its analogues were the most frequently identified substances in drug-related deaths analyzed in Knox and Anderson counties during 2025. Toxicology testing identified fentanyl in 190 cases, down from 246 cases in 2024 and 437 cases in 2023.
The report also found overall drug-related deaths declined in both counties. Knox County recorded an 8% decrease in drug-related deaths during 2025, while Anderson County saw a 13% reduction.
Despite those declines, local officials caution that the threat remains significant.
“Communities are stronger and safer when we work together,” said Chris Thomas, chief administrative officer and director of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. “We’ve seen some promising trends these past couple of years, but we’ve also had opioids that are even more deadly than fentanyl enter the community as well. We need to constantly be vigilant.”
Knox County Health Department Substance Misuse Response Coordinator Sharena Cathey said fentanyl continues to affect families throughout East Tennessee because it is often mixed into other illegal substances without a user’s knowledge.
“Even a single use can have life-threatening consequences, but there is hope,” Cathey said. “Every conversation about safety, every naloxone kit distributed, every opportunity to learn the signs of an overdose, and every person in Knox County can help save a life.”
Cathey said the upcoming event serves as a reminder that prevention, education and recovery resources can make a difference in reducing overdose deaths and supporting individuals struggling with addiction.
Organizers encourage residents to attend the event to learn more about fentanyl, overdose prevention, naloxone and local resources available throughout the community.
