DEA Encourages Conversations on Dangers of Drugs and Social Media as Students Return to School
ST. LOUIS – As students across Missouri return to school, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) St. Louis Division is encouraging families to have open conversations about the potentially lethal consequences of drug experimentation and the threat posed by drug dealers on social media.
In the first seven months of 2025, DEA agents in Missouri removed nearly 10.7 million deadly doses of fentanyl, enough to kill every person in both Missouri and Kansas. DEA seizures of fentanyl powder in Missouri have surpassed the total seized in 2024, while pills are still finding their ways into communities.
Social media plays a significant role in the life of students and cartels are taking advantage of this audience. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to emphasize the dangers associated with buying pills online. Nationwide, DEA has seized fentanyl pills made to resemble common prescription medications such as Xanax ®, Adderall ® and Oxycodone ®. Never trust your eyes to determine if a pill is legitimate or counterfeit. The only safe medications are prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.
“Families should have conversations now and throughout the year about the lethal consequences associated with drug use,” DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “Open a line of communication so that down the road, your children will feel comfortable coming to you with questions or concerns. Your conversation could save a life.”
For families unsure how to begin a conversation on the dangers of drug use, the DEA has resources and fact sheets available online: https://www.dea.gov/onepill/partner-toolbox. Conversation starters, information on drugs including street names and side effects, and helpful tips on ways to stay engaged in these important conversations year-round, are available based on age and grade.
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