Hundreds gathered in Times Square for the fourth annual Fentanyl Prevention Day, marking a potent alliance between federal law enforcement and grieving families demanding a harder line against the synthetic opioid crisis.

At a Glance

• National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day was held in Times Square on August 21, 2025.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection described fentanyl as both a health and national security threat.
• Federal agencies including the DEA participated, showcasing joint enforcement initiatives.
• Organizers highlighted bipartisan support for stronger prevention and border policy.
• Preliminary federal data shows a slight decline in fentanyl-related deaths nationwide.

Federal Agencies Rally Behind Grieving Families

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined bereaved families in a rare public show of unity during the Times Square event. CBP Deputy Commissioner John Modlin warned that fentanyl should be seen not only as a public health threat but as a deliberate attack on the American population. His remarks aligned with the Trump administration’s framing of the opioid epidemic as a dual public safety and national security emergency.

Watch now: DEA Joins Grieving Families in Times Square · YouTube

The DEA used the event to highlight enforcement efforts and public memorials, including its Faces of Fentanyl Wall. The agency reaffirmed its push to stem the flow of synthetic opioids at key ports of entry, a focal point of ongoing federal efforts. Officials acknowledged longstanding border vulnerabilities that had allowed trafficking to intensify over the past decade, a concern voiced by both conservative policymakers and family advocates alike.

Grassroots Movement Gains National Momentum

The demonstration was organized by Project Facing Fentanyl, a nonprofit founded by Andrea Thomas after the fentanyl poisoning death of her daughter. The group’s mission blends public awareness with policy advocacy, often emphasizing bipartisan cooperation. Thomas positioned the Times Square rally as a symbolic moment of solidarity, drawing support from across the political spectrum.

The event has grown significantly since its founding in 2022, with participants now traveling from dozens of states to demand tougher prevention measures. Many speakers called for stricter control of synthetic drug precursors, enhanced international cooperation, and enforcement improvements at the southern border. This blend of personal testimony and policy advocacy has become a hallmark of the movement.

Border Security Crisis Fuels Deadly Epidemic

The fentanyl crisis has evolved since 2015 into a multi-faceted challenge driven by synthetic opioid production abroad and smuggling operations targeting U.S. borders. Federal data confirms that many of the precursor chemicals originate in Asia and are assembled into illicit fentanyl in labs that feed distribution networks across North America. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly identified border gaps as a critical vulnerability.

Fentanyl’s extreme potency—estimated at 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine—has amplified the lethality of even small-scale distribution. Recent data suggesting a modest dip in fentanyl-related deaths has been cautiously welcomed by officials. Still, public health experts stress that any relief is fragile without sustained interdiction and policy oversight. The Trump administration has responded with renewed federal coordination, public messaging campaigns, and pressure for stronger border enforcement.

Sources

CBP
DEA
CDC
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Facing Fentanyl