I am Brian Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the New England Field Division and I’d like to welcome you 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, our division will focus on the Lowell, Massachusetts community, targeting the fentanyl 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 the DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program, and in collaboration with CADCA and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, 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 communities most affected by fentanyl use. In those targeted communities, the New England 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.

Always at your service,

Special Agent in Charge Boyle

Learn more about the history and effects of drugs with neat, printable fact sheets (all PDFs) that can serve as handy resources by visiting www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/publication/drug-fact-sheets.

Teachers and employers can also visit www.operationprevention.com, a collaboration between DEA and Discovery Education to provide no-cost online tools that support every member of the community with the power of prevention.

College prevention professionals should browse www.campusdrugprevention.gov, DEA’s effort to support drug use prevention programs on college campuses and in surrounding communities.

DEA New England is excited to partner with our Lowell, Massachusetts leaders to help educate Lowellians about the dangers of Fentanyl and other drugs hitting the streets of America. Our Operation Engage initiative will help support current efforts, as well as, form new partnerships with those who reside in the Merrimack Valley to further our efforts to educate students, businesses, Faith based leaders, parents and educators too. We look forward to partnering with City Manager Tom Golden, Police Superintendent Greg Hudon and the many outstanding not for profits who serve the citizens of Lowell.

Check out this list of local organizations that provide services to the public regarding addiction, community empowerment, drug education and prevention, drug take back programs, recovery, and overall health and wellness.

City of Lowell Police Department
DEA Dance Program
Lowell Police Youth Services Program
Lowell Public Schools

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.

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 www.dea.gov/togetherforfamilies.

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.   

Date: April 22, 23, 24, and 25, 2025

Time: 9:00am-2:00pm

Where: James F. Sullivan Middle School, 150 Draper St, Lowell, MA 01852

Join Operation Engage Lowell for a free youth wrestling program for grades 5-8. Only 30 spots are available. For the online registration link, please contact Ms. Anabel DaSilva at 978-937-8993 or adasilva@lowell.k12.ma.us. The registration deadline is April 11, 2025.