The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host its inaugural Fentanyl Free America Summit in Orlando, Florida, in partnership with CADCA’s 25th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute.

The event is scheduled for July 13–16, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Centre and is expected to bring together more than 2,500 participants from law enforcement, public health, education, and community organisations across the United States.

The summit is part of the DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative, aimed at tackling the fentanyl crisis through enforcement, prevention, and public awareness under three pillars: Protect, Prevent, and Support.

The summit drives innovation and ideas to tackle the intense consumption of fentanyl in the United States which is responsible for about 120 deaths daily among people aged 18 to 45 according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole described the summit as a coordinated national response to the drug crisis to strengthen partnerships across sectors to save lives.

“Fentanyl Free America is a national call to action to confront the deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced,” he said.

The president of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA,) and CEO General Barrye L. Price said the collaboration comes from a shared commitment to prevention and community protection.

“CADCA, and our scores of prevention coalitions, stand proudly with DEA in the shared purpose of protecting communities from fentanyl poisoning,” he said.

The summit will feature several discussions from expert panels, training sessions, and networking opportunities, alongside the DEA’s Excellence in Protection Awards recognising efforts to tackle fentanyl trafficking, and save lives.