DEA and USPS unveil Drug Free USA Forever stamp

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Acting Administrator Timothy Shea welcomed U.S. Postal Service Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier, and National Family Partnership President Peggy Sapp for the unveiling of the Drug Free USA Forever stamp at DEA headquarters today. The stamp promotes drug abuse prevention and helps raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

“With this powerful image and message, the U.S. Postal Service has given us another means to promote the battle against drug abuse,” said Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea. “In America alone, 70,000 lives are lost to drug overdoses every year, with countless others impacted by the actions of violent drug traffickers and the scourge of illegal drug use. We urge the public to engage in this fight against illegal drug use and to use the Drug Free USA stamp to signify their support for safer, drug-free communities.”

“It’s our hope that the Drug Free USA stamp will help publicize the dangers of illicit drug use and to promote drug abuse prevention,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “Millions of Americans have had their lives hijacked by the impact of addiction. Families are destroyed and communities are disrupted. We can measure the cost to society in the billions, but we cannot measure the grief and the despair. To fully address this problem requires a unified effort at every level of the community, and with this stamp, the Postal Service is proud to join the Drug Enforcement Administration and many other federal, state and local partners’ commitment to a Drug Free USA.” 

“I have dedicated my year as Miss America 2020 to keeping patients safe with medications and fighting prescription drug misuse, so I am thrilled to see this issue nationally recognized through the drug-free stamp,” said Miss America Camille Schrier. “I admire the DEA’s commitment toward achieving a drug-free America, and am grateful to work beside them in educating the public on the dangers of drug misuse, living a substance-free life, as well as celebrating the creation of this historic stamp.”

“Our organization, which started with Nancy Reagan as the Honorary Chairman, continues its grassroots education and involvement of citizens to be leaders in their families and communities,” said National Family Partnership President and CEO Peggy Sapp. “The Drug Free USA Postage Stamp is a recognition and an honor for each volunteer who has worked and encouraged the drug free message over the last 40 years. We appreciate and thank our long time partners at the DEA and our new partners at USPS.”

The Drug Free USA Forever stamp marks the first collaboration between the USPS and DEA on a First Class stamp. In 1971, before the Drug Enforcement Administration was formed, the USPS issued an 8-cent “Prevent Drug Abuse” stamp.  The new stamp showcases original artwork by Aaron Draplin. The image of a white star with lines of red, light blue, and blue radiating from one side of each of the star’s five points suggests the unity necessary at all levels to effectively address drug abuse. The stamp’s background is dark blue. “Drug Free USA” appears above the stamp art, while the stamp’s denomination, “Forever,” appears below it. The year 2020 runs vertically along the bottom right corner of the image. The Drug Free USA stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate, and will be available for sale to the public for one year.

Greg Breeding designed the stamp and was also the typographer. William J. Gicker was the art director.

Red Ribbon Week, which takes place in schools and communities nationwide every year from Oct. 23-31, helps parents, teachers, business owners, and neighborhood organizations promote drug abuse awareness and prevention. Red Ribbon Week was started by high school students in California following the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in Mexico in 1985.

Participants wear a red ribbon or red to symbolize their dedication to preventing drug abuse. The annual campaign is sponsored by the National Family Partnership.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #DrugFreeStamp.

For a toolkit with Red Ribbon materials and more information on how to participate in Red Ribbon events, visit the Red Ribbon Campaign page on www.dea.gov.

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