United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ST. LOUIS – The Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division hosted a regional Family Summit on Fentanyl June 27 in support of those who have lost loved ones to drug poisonings.

This is the third Family Summit hosted in the region to address the subject of drug-induced deaths.

“DEA hosts these family summits as part of our commitment to decrease deaths from illegal drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Davis, head of the St. Louis Division, who opened the summit Thursday. “Our agents continue to seize record amounts of dangerous fentanyl, so we are well aware that warning the public is something we must continue to do. We hope to bring down those deaths by partnering with community members who have personally experienced the impact these drugs have.”

U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming, Western District of Missouri, also provided opening remarks. Other speakers discussed the extent of the drug threat and walked attendees through overdose death investigations. Midwest HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), part of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, presented information about its Overdose Response Strategy and provided resources for developing programs. The keynote address was provided by Tiffany Foster, a mother who lost her 13-year-old son to fentanyl. She now is part of the prevention organization Addition is Real.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,866 people died by drug poisoning in the United States in 2023. The number of people dying from drugs has decreased, while the number of deaths from synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, has remained steady.

DEA uses Family Summits to build relationships with those who know how deadly drugs can be to build awareness and increase public awareness of fentanyl. These summits allow DEA to listen and learn from families as they share their personal stories. Additionally, the summits provide participants information on national drug threats and resources available to enhance local prevention efforts.

DEA has a parent fact sheet available to help parents and caregivers talk to kids about the dangers of drug use. The Get Smart About Drugs website also has information about dangerous drugs.