Fort Lauderdale
Hello Florida,
My name is Deanne Reuter. I am the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division.
Welcome to Operation Engage!
As we all know, there are far too many non-fatal and fatal drug overdoses affecting our communities, and sadly, these numbers are increasing. In response, DEA has moved toward community-level collaborative efforts to help reduce these numbers through education and awareness, using our wide range of resources.
Through Operation Engage, the Miami Field Division will focus on Fort Lauderdale communities, targeting the opioid drug threat.
Other components of Operation Engage include:
- Stakeholder/Community Gatherings: To share the latest information about drug trends, drug threats, and other related pertinent information.
- The DEA’s Citizens Academy: DEA recognizes the importance of forging strong alliances with local communities and maintaining collaborative relationships with community leaders. The DEA’s Citizens Academy offers participants the opportunity to understand the world of federal drug law enforcement and the important role the DEA and the community together, play in combating drug trafficking, drug misuse, and related violence.
- Youth Engagement: Through programs like DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program, and in collaboration with United Way of Broward County, children of all ages will be able to actively participate in age-appropriate activities, designed for them to learn and gain the most knowledge about the dangers of drugs in a fun way.
- Community Outreach Programs: DEA, along with stakeholder involvement, will concentrate efforts in the top five cities most affected by opioid misuse. In those targeted cities, the Miami Field Division will participate in facilitating prevention strategies to include, but not limited to, drug prevention training and technical assistance for communities, coalition outreach, and prescription drug take back events to name a few.
These are only a few of the many resources and opportunities we have available to share with
our communities.
I invite you, and your families, to explore our Operation Engage webpage to learn about the many resources we have available. Learning as a family, early on, is the first step in avoiding drug experimentation, drug misuse, drug addiction, and all related behaviors that are plaguing our communities.
If you have any questions, please contact Special Agent Amy Roderick at (571) 362-3066.
One Pill Can Kill
The Drug Enforcement Administration warns the American public of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. International and domestic criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills, falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills, and killing unsuspecting Americans.
These fake pills are easy to purchase, widely available, and often contain deadly doses of fentanyl. Pills purchased outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal. This alert does not apply to legitimate pharmaceutical medications prescribed by medical professionals and dispensed by pharmacists. Read more.
See Related: Check out this Fake Pills factsheet.
Prescription drug misuse across the nation has resulted in many unintentional deaths and even more non-fatal drug overdoses. Use the resources below to educate yourself on the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic and to work to make Fort Lauderdale drug free.
Were You Recently Prescribed Opioids?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released important guidance for patients receiving opioid prescriptions. Read more.
What Should You Do With Your Unused Meds?
Most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family, friends, and acquaintances. You can make a difference by keeping track of the medicine you have, by rethinking where and how you keep your medications in your home, and by safely disposing of any unused medications. Read more.
Check out these drug prevention publications produced by DEA. Read more.
Looking for prevention resources specifically for young people? Go to the teen-focused site www.justthinktwice.com/. Here, they'll be able to get facts about drug use and learn ways to live a drug-free life.
Here are a few more resources for youth:
D.A.R.E.-Drug Abuse Resistance Education
D.A.R.E.’s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug and violence free lives.
Stop Youth Opioid Abuse is a multi-channel effort from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Ad Council, and the Truth Initiative that focuses on preventing and reducing the misuse of opioids among youth and young adults.
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
SADD is a youth-based, peer-to-peer organization that promotes youth empowerment and uses peer influence to spread the message of positive decision-making.
Here is a list of our community partners. Learn more about them by visiting their websites, linked below.
United Way of Broward County
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Southern District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office
Broward County School District
Florida Department of Health
The Robin Foundation
Find treatment in your area. Go to FindTreatment.gov to search for general drug treatment facilities in your area. On this site, you can find facilities that offer various payment options (including free and no-cost care), youth treatment facilities, special programs for Veterans, plus more.
Otherwise, enter your zipcode below to find substance abuse treatment facilities in your area.
Families play a key role in preventing and responding to substance use. Too many families are grieving the death of a loved one due to substance use or coping with the stress that comes from loving a person affected by substance use or misuse. Fortunately, there are thousands of professionals and volunteers involved in all types of organizations who are in positions to help families help their loved one. The Drug Enforcement Administration is honored to partner with these organizations at the state, national and local level. Together for Families seeks to be a place where you can find information that helps you wherever you are on your journey. Visit https://www.dea.gov/togetherforfamilies.
Events
Date: July 31, 2025
Time: 10:30am - 2:30pm
Where: 1300 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Join Operation Engage Fort Lauderdale for a social media prevention training session. Educators, prevention specialists, and community leaders will be equipped with the tools and strategies to harness the power of social media for substance misuse prevention among youth. Register by visiting https://research.sogolytics.com/survey/form?k=SsXVVSsSPTYsPsPsP&lang=0 or scanning the QR code in the flyer above. Questions? Contact Community Outreach Specialist Gretchen Rovira at Gretchen.M.Rovira@dea.gov.