United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW ORLEANS – DEA New Orleans Division Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley will announce that New Orleans and the surrounding parishes of Jefferson and St. Bernard will be the next region where the DEA will implement its 360 Strategy, a comprehensive approach to address prescription opioid abuse, heroin use and violent crime.

A press conference announcing New Orleans’ selection for DEA’s new initiative is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 at 10:00 a.m. at New Orleans City Hall, located at 1300 Perdido St., New Orleans, La.

Speakers at the event will include:

• LaToya Cantrell, Mayor, City of New Orleans
• Brad L. Byerley, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration
• Peter G. Strasser, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana
• Eric Rommal, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Shaun Ferguson, Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department
• Kevin Reeves, Colonel, Louisiana State Police
• Dr. Gerald Cvitanovich, MD, Coroner, Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office
• Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr., Superintendent, Orleans Parish School Board
• Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, Executive Director, Metropolitan Human Services District/Greater New Orleans Area Behavioral Health Services
• Brandon Boutin, Pastor, Greater St. Stephens Baptist Church

The goals of the DEA 360 Strategy include stopping the deadly cycle of prescription opioid and heroin abuse by eliminating the drug trafficking organizations and gangs fueling violence on the streets and addiction in communities. The strategy also includes partnering with healthcare professionals and social service organizations that are best positioned to provide long-term help and support for building drug-free communities.

National partners who are participating in DEA’s 360 Strategy include:  the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, DEA Educational Foundation, U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Safety Partnership, the Benevolent Order of the Elks, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.

The response to DEA’s request for local partners in the greater New Orleans and surrounding areas to participate in the DEA 360 Strategy has been overwhelming. Our local partners include, but are not limited to:  the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Attorney General’s office, Bridge House/Grace House, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives New Orleans Field Office, City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office, Crimestoppers, Dillard University College of Nursing, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Field Office, Greater New Orleans Drug Demand Reduction Coalition, Greater St. Stephens Baptist Church, Gulf Coast HIDTA, Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office, Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority, Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson Parish President’s Office, Jefferson Parish School Board, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Levee District, Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, Louisiana Governor’s Office, Louisiana National Guard, Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Louisiana Public Health Institute, Louisiana State Police, Medard H. Nelson Charter School, Metropolitan Human Services District, New Hope Community Church, New Orleans Health Department, New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, Next Generation of Original Morning Star Baptist Church, New Orleans Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, New Orleans Theological Seminary, Ochsner Health System, Office of Behavioral Health, Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office, Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Orleans Parish School Board, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Slidell Police Department, Southern University of Baton Rouge, St. Bernard Coroner’s Office, St. Bernard Parish District Attorney’s Office, St. Bernard Parish President’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Speakers will be available for media interviews at the conclusion of the event. Members of the media wishing to attend the press conference are asked to please contact DEA Public Information Officer Debbie Webber at Debora.H.Webber@usdoj.gov.

Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.  

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