Bellevue fentanyl prevention advocate receives DEA Award

Published 1:30 pm Thursday, July 16, 2026

A Bellevue resident who lost her teenage daughter to a fentanyl poisoning has received the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Fentanyl Free America Prevention Award.

DEA Administrator Terry Cole presented the award to Laura Lynch, whose 18-year-old daughter, Brillion Lynch, died in April 2021 — six days after her birthday — according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office on July 16.

For the last five years, Lynch has been an impactful advocate and delivered “One Pill Can Kill” presentations to more than 30,000 students in 20 schools across Washington state, reads the press release. Sen. Cantwell’s office adds that Lynch has also advocated for fentanyl prevention with youth organizations, parents and civic leaders.

Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) congratulated Lynch for receiving the award, adding: “Laura’s decision to transform personal grief into prevention education and policy advocacy will help countless families. Our work at the federal level including developing legislation is made possible by unwavering advocates like Laura.” Lynch and Sen. Cantwell have met multiple times to pursue strong federal legislation to protect families from fentanyl.

At a “One Pill Can Kill” presentation on Mercer Island in 2023, Lynch said she fought hard alongside police and detectives to track down the dealer. She was dismayed that the dealer ended up with a 20-month sentence, but was released in four and a half months, according to a Reporter story, which added that nine months after the dealer was released, he was caught dealing drugs again.

“I encourage all of you to advocate and use your power as a voter. We all know Washington drug laws aren’t nearly adequate for the crisis we are facing now,” she said.