parks
Walk for Lives brings families together in Springfield to honor fentanyl victims and demand change
By Kim Rafferty at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 12, 2026
· 2 min read
Faces line a fence at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Springfield with each photo representing a life cut short by fentanyl.Families gathered there for Walk for Lives, a nationwide movement bringing together those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl toxicity to raise awareness and push for change...
Key takeaway She lost her son Ethan on December 6, 2022, about 21 days before his 21st birthday.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The Walk for Lives event at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Springfield is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of fentanyl toxicity on local families. As Nashville and surrounding communities like Springfield continue to grapple with the opioid crisis, events like this underscore the need for awareness and education, particularly among young people. The fact that fentanyl can be hidden in other substances makes it a unique and deadly threat, and local families are demanding action to prevent further tragedies. With the distinction between overdose and poisoning being emphasized by families affected by fentanyl toxicity, it's clear that the community is seeking a more nuanced understanding of the issue. As the city and county consider strategies to address the crisis, the stories of families like the Brownings and Van Devenders will be crucial in informing those efforts and pushing for meaningful change.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Faces line a fence at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Springfield with each photo representing a life cut short by fentanyl.Families gathered there for Walk for Lives, a nationwide movement bringing together those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl toxicity to raise awareness and push for change...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kim Rafferty at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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