United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DETROIT - The U.S. Department of Justice has designated the week of September 19, 2016, as National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week. During this week, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) offices and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country will be participating in programs to increase public awareness of the growing epidemic of heroin and opiate abuse in our country.
 
United States Attorney McQuade said, “The epidemic of overdose deaths from heroin and prescription pill abuse is startling and needs to be met with an intense response by law enforcement.  We also seek to raise public awareness about addiction, treatment and prevention.”
 
In recognition of Heroin and Opioid Awareness week, the DEA Detroit Field Division, along with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will be participating in the following events:
 
On the evening of September 19, the U.S. Attorney's Office, DEA, FBI and the Saginaw Community Foundation will host an event at ISD Transitions Center, located at 3860 Fashion Square Blvd, Saginaw.  The event will spotlight the heroin issues in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Invitees include the Michigan State Police, Chiefs of Police, school superintendents and wrap-around service providers.  During the event, guests will view a screening of Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, a 45-minute documentary film produced by the DEA and FBI which is aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of addiction.  The documentary profiles the stories of several people who either abused opiates or had family members become addicts, and looks at the tragic consequences associated with opioid abuse.  The documentary, which is intended to reach students and young adults before they become addicted, may be viewed by clicking on the “Chasing the Dragon” box, on the home page of DEA.gov. 
 
Doors will open at 5:30 pm with the viewing starting at 6:00 pm followed by a discussion with law enforcement and community health experts. 
 
A similar event will take place on September 21, 2016, at the Ypsilanti Township Hall, located at 7200 S. Huron River Dr., from 6:00 pm - 7:30pm.  The event, hosted by a collaboration of partners to include the US Attorney's Office, DEA, FBI, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Washtenaw County Public Health, will spotlight the heroin problems in Washtenaw County and the surrounding area. 
 
Doors will open at 5:30 pm with the viewing starting at 6:00 pm followed by a discussion with law enforcement and community health experts. 
 
Media and the public are welcome to attend the events in Saginaw and Ypsilanti. 
 
For more information, please contact DEA’s Rich Isaacson (313) 234-4310, or the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Officer Gina Balaya (313) 226-9758.