More than 20 people gathered in front of Scranton’s Children’s Library on Saturday, intent on combatting the fentanyl crisis and honoring those whose lives were lost to the synthetic drug.
For Mike Mancini, the “Walk for Lives” and the effort to bring awareness to the hazards of fentanyl are personal. As he made the short walk through the city to Courthouse Square, he shared his story with the others.
A photo of Zachary Siglin with his sister Camille rests near a walkway at Courthouse Square on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Camille Siglin attended the event in honor of her brother who lost his life to an overdose in 2022. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
“Walk For Lives” fentanyl awareness through Scranton to Courthouse Square, drew dozens of people to provide awareness and support on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Mike Mancini, right, leads the “Walk For Lives” fentanyl awareness event on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton councilman Patrick Flynn shares his story in support of fentanyl awareness and recovery at the “Walk for Lives” event at Courthouse Square on July 11, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
“Walk For Lives” fentanyl awareness through Scranton and to Courthouse Square, drew dozens of people to provide awareness and support on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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A photo of Zachary Siglin with his sister Camille rests near a walkway at Courthouse Square on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Camille Siglin attended the event in honor of her brother who lost his life to an overdose in 2022. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
In October 2019, his son, U.S. Marine Christian Reed, had ear surgery that ultimately ruptured his eardrum. At the end of his course of medication, Reed was still in pain. A fellow Marine introduced him to a civilian who could help, assuring him the man was reliable.
Instead, the medication provided to him was laced with fentanyl.
Reed, stationed in San Diego, was found unresponsive on May 21, 2020, the day after his 26th birthday. Two Marines knocked on Mancini’s Scranton front door the following day to tell him his son had died. Mancini contacted the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and learned his son died from a fentanyl overdose.
In September 2022, a federal jury in San Diego convicted Nameer Mohammad Atta of Reed’s death. Evidence presented during the trial showed Atta sold Reed fake painkillers that he knew contained fentanyl.
But Mancini would wait three more years before Atta was sentenced to 20 years behind bars in January.
Court records show Atta is incarcerated in Tucson, Arizona, but Mancini had hoped he would be serving his time on the East Coast. It would be only fair that his parents would have to make their way across the country to see their son, just as he had had to do, Mancini said.
“His life mattered. His story matters. And I will continue to speak his name, not only because of how he died, but because of how he lived,” Mancini said. “He was loved. He was proud. He was funny. He was strong. He was kind. He was my son. I was the best dad I could be because of him.”
Sharing their own story
Scranton councilman Patrick Flynn made the walk through downtown not in his capacity as a government official, but as someone intimately acquainted with the dangers of drug use and addiction.
Flynn, who has been in recovery for about 12 years, takes every opportunity to inform and inspire others on the issue. By speaking openly about his own struggles, he hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and spread the message that a path to recovery exists, no matter how low someone has fallen.
First Assistant District Attorney Andrew Krowiak told the crowd that the District Attorney’s Office is committed to punishing those who bring drugs into the area to the fullest extent of the law. However, he emphasized that it is also the office’s responsibility to connect individuals with resources to overcome addiction and mental health issues, making long-term success more likely.
Camille Siglin clung to a framed photo of her brother, Zach, throughout the event.
Zach Siglin lost his life to an overdose in 2022 when he was just 35 years old. He had recently moved to Florida to try to get his life together.
While attempting to get high, he bought a drug, unaware that it contained fentanyl.
Now, Camille Siglin is working to get the word out that fentanyl is deadly, hoping people are listening.
Mark Zingaro is in recovery, but can’t count how many friends he lost to overdoses.
He points out that drug dealers aren’t pharmacists, nor are they concerned about the impact of the drugs they sell.
Packets from the batch of drugs can have various strengths. You can be okay one day and the next you’re dead, he said.
In remarks to the crowd, Mancini said it was appropriate that the walk started at the Children’s Library. He wants to get the word out to everyone, as young as possible and as often as possible, that drugs can kill.