United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ATLANTA - Harry S. Sommers, the Special Agent in (SAC) of the Atlanta Field (AFD) of the Drug Enforcement (DEA), announced today that the DEA AFD is launching an anonymous statewide prescription drug texting tip line available to the public. SAC Sommers was joined by John Horn, First Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District of Georgia; Rick Allen, Director, Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency; Ken Howard, Inspector, Georgia Bureau of Investigation; and Jack Killorin, Director, Atlanta High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The TIP411 web-based initiative is the first-ever federally administered prescription drug abuse tip line of its kind in the state. The TIP411 service allows for the public to quickly, easily, and anonymously report prescription drug abuse by texting TIP411 or 847-411 then using the keyword PILLTIP. The tips will be forwarded directly to a DEA agent, who will then act upon the information. Some of the tips, no doubt, will lead to actionable enforcement opportunities. 

Harry S. Sommers, the Special Agent in (SAC) of the DEA Atlanta Field (AFD) said of the program, "This method of communication is a great opportunity for the public to anonymously engage in the fight against state-wide prescription drug abuse while keeping up with today's technology. The illegal prescription drug market and relative ease of which pharmaceutical substances can be obtained has resulted in a sharp increase in prescription drug abuse throughout Georgia. DEA and its federal, state and local partners are fully committed to combating this growing issue." 

When the TIP411 program becomes active, the DEA AFD will simultaneously send prescription drug abuse educational packets to 1,200 pharmacies located throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. The packets will contain a refrigerator magnet which displays, "Report RX Fraud Anonymously," a Pharmacist's Guide to Prescription Fraud, a Prescription Drug Intelligence Alert from SAC Sommers, and a TIP411 advertisement brochure.  

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA's interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.