October 22, 2019
Contact: Jodie Underwood
Phone Number: (571) 387-3289
For Immediate Release

The DEA deploys “360 Strategy” in Northern Arizona’s Yavapai-Apache Nation to address heroin, prescription drug abuse and violent crime in the area

The partnership is the first collaboration between DEA and a tribal nation

PHOENIX – The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined with the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Northern Arizona to deploy DEA’s 360 strategy in the tribal nation and surrounding rural area. The DEA 360 program was developed by DEA in 2015 to address the heroin and the opioid drug crisis across the nation by focusing collaborative efforts through traditional law enforcement, Diversion Control and Community Outreach in target areas. This partnership is the first between the DEA 360 and a tribal community. 

“We are proud to deploy our resources to the Yavapai-Apache Nation as part of our DEA 360 program in Northern Arizona,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Apolonio Ruiz. “By focusing on the tribal community and northern part of the state, the DEA and its national partners can bring critical prevention and education resources to this rural area.” 

The DEA’s Phoenix Field Division will facilitate the DEA 360 strategy through prevention and education efforts in Northern Arizona and specifically, the Yavapai-Apache Nation. The goals of the partnership include bringing an enhanced awareness of the dangers of consequences of opioid abuse, including powerful opioids like fentanyl and its analogues.  

The Diversion Control program will focus on educating practitioners in the area regarding regulatory policies and enhance communication between the DEA and its registrants to reduce opportunities for diverted controlled pharmaceuticals to enter the community.  

Additionally, DEA 360 will enhance current demand reduction efforts by bringing the national resources of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, DEA Educational Foundation, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Discovery Education and many others, to further educate and empower local communities to fight the opioid crisis. Through these prevention efforts and collaborations, the goal is to provide the best supportive measures for building lasting drug-free communities. 

The Yavapai-Apache Nation signed a formal Resolution announcing the efforts of both parties. Information on upcoming DEA 360 events can be found at www.wakeup-northernaz.com.