Greetings,

I am Michael A. Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis 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 St. Louis Metropolitan Area, 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: 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 St. Louis 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,

Michael A. Davis

Special Agent in Charge

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.   

One Pill Can Kill: DEA-led campaign that provides awareness of the increasing fentanyl related overdose deaths we are seeing nationwide. Fentanyl and opioids are affecting local youth. One Pill Can Kill website can provide facts for families wanting to learn more about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl.

Get Smart About Drugs: This is a resource for parents, educators and caregivers. This website also provides a range of DEA publications, available in both English and Spanish.

Together for Families: 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.

SAMHSA: “Talk. They Hear You.” is a free mobile app that helps you prepare for one of the most important conversations you may ever have with your children about underage drinking and drug use. The app provides parents and caregivers of children and teens ages 9 to 15 with the tools and information they need to start talking with their children early about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.

For more info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL2XMiOO0Fg

Hidden in Plain Sight: Can you see the signs of drug use? This mock teenage bedroom will display some everyday items that can actually be indicators of drug use or risky behavior. 

Addiction is Real: View a parent toolkit to learn how to start a conversation about substance use with your children.

Dead on Arrival: Counterfeit pills with fentanyl are deadly. This film by VOID (Victims of Illicit Drugs) is an eye-opening story from the families who have lost a loved one. There versions in both English and Spanish.

Operation Prevention: The DEA and Discovery Education have created Operation Prevention to provide communities with proactive digital tools to raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse. This resource is free and is available in English and Spanish for students in grades 3-12, plus additional resources designed for educators, families, and professionals.

Campus Drug Prevention: The DEA provides institutions of higher education and their communities with this resource to prevent drug misuse among college students.

Just Think Twice: Looking for prevention resources specifically for young people? Go to the teen-focused site Just Think Twice. Here, youth will be able to get facts about drug use and learn ways to live a drug-free life.

NIDA for Teens: This website provides helpful drug facts as well as games and activities teens can do to learn more about the dangers of drugs.

Opioid Basics: Center for Disease Control offers more information about opioids and the different types there are out there that can cause harm and addiction.