United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 18, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division hosted their 3rd Family Summit in support of those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV).

In alignment with DEA's mission, the event aimed to provide opportunities to disseminate information about current drug threats, educate attendees on how DEA can assist families and organizations in their prevention efforts, offer a platform for family members to narrate their experiences, establish connections, and pinpoint potential areas for collaboration among family groups.

The summit, held at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, saw a strong turnout with over 90 participants, including families from the DMV. The diverse array of participants significantly contributed to the event's success, enriching the experience with both emotional depth and educational value for all attendees.

During his opening remarks Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget mentioned: “As a father who is deeply concerned about the well-being of my community; I am honored to stand before you today not just as a parent, but also as a Special Agent with the DEA. We acknowledge that while law enforcement is important, it is not the only solution. We believe that a more comprehensive approach, involving engagement with those impacted by violent drug trafficking organizations, is essential to making a meaningful impact. Echoing the words of Administrator Milgram, your messages and resilience is resonating and changing the way we talk, think, and act on this drug crisis.”

The highlight of the event was the session titled, "This is Our Story- Honoring Memories," where family representatives shared their stories, experiences, and concerns, including Nicole Wolanin, a resilient young woman who survived a fentanyl poisoning in December 2023. Since then, she has been transforming her life by raising her voice to educate others about the dangers of opioids and prescription drugs.  Furthermore, her mom, Karleen Wolanin, created the Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness movement, dedicated to raise awareness about fentanyl. She shared a strong message with all attendees: "Parents who come together as a community in the face of substance use or the loss of a child to fentanyl find strength in unity. In sharing their stories and support, they ensure that no one has to navigate this pain alone, transforming isolation into collective resilience and hope." SAC Forget thanked the families for their courage and for “trusting us with your memories and journey. Your voices and stories are powerful, and they can make a difference as we continue to educate our communities about substance drug misuse and the dangers of fentanyl.”

Throughout the day, the attendees heard remarks from DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and US Attorneys, including Jessica Aber of the Eastern District of Virginia, Matt Graves of the District of Columbia, and Erek Barron of the District of Maryland, who discussed the steps being taken in the litigation field to combat the harmful effects of the fentanyl crisis in the DMV region. Family members shared their stories and personal experiences, made connections and peer-to-peer support, as well as got updated information on the current Fentanyl Poisoning Crisis, and national and local drug trends.  Experts from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discussed public health interventions to reduce harms associated with drug use and engage individuals in effective treatment programs and got acquainted with updated information regarding local opioid settlements and opportunities for the families to get involved. Based on the feedback from previous events the program also included a session about the legal process of prosecuting federal fentanyl death cases. In the afternoon the guest benefited from the discussion in two panels (“Champions of Change” and “Conversations: Approach for Safer Schools”) composed by multisectoral members that share examples of how they turned their experience into power and discussed best strategies for collaborating with schools to educate children, school staff, and parents on the availability and dangers of drugs mixed with fentanyl.

DEA’s Family Summit brings together families from across the country who have experienced the profound loss of a child due to a drug poisoning. These families have turned grief and pain into action, working tirelessly to prevent other families from suffering the unimaginable loss of a loved one to a drug poisoning. This event seeks to create a dialogue to effect change through enforcement, awareness, and prevention education. If you are interested in information on how to get involved in future events please complete the Advocates for Change form and submit it to familyoutreach@dea.gov.

DEA has resources available to help parents and care givers talk to kids about the dangers of drug use.  You can also visit the Get Smart About Drugs website.  Likewise, DEA has resources for anyone who needs help with substance use or mental health disorders, please visit DEA’s Recovery Resources .

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