News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2006
Contact: Special Agent Dan Simmons,
Public Information Officer
Number: 858-616-4166

DEA’s San Diego Division To Promote Meth Awareness
Events are planned across the country on November 30th

NOV 16 -- (SAN DIEGO) – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Diego Field Division will join several federal, state and local agencies to promote National Methamphetamine Awareness Day on November 30, 2006.

The purpose of National Methamphetamine Awareness Day is to generate awareness about the damaging effects of meth abuse on individuals, families and American communities. Education and public outreach play a major role in increasing awareness about meth while also decreasing the demand of this highly addictive and dangerous drug.

“This day, set aside for national awareness, highlights a problem that this area has been aware of for some time. Methamphetamine adversely affects all that it touches - individuals, families and the neighborhoods we live in,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alan Poleszak, “the defeat of this scourge can only be realized through a multi-faceted approach involving law enforcement, education and community awareness.”

The following information details the many events which have taken place in the Division as well as those planned in the San Diego Field Division for National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. Media interested in covering these events should contact Special Agent Dan Simmons at (858) 616-4166.

Since September 2006, the DEA Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Group has given over one dozen presentations to schools and community organizations in an effort to illustrate the life-altering dangers associated with methamphetamine, its manufacture and use. These events have featured lab demonstrations, enforcement re-creations and question and answer sessions designed to make our youth and the general public cognizant of the physical, psychological and emotional dangers associated with methamphetamine.

November 28, 2006 Event: DEA joint participation at the Native American Tribal Child Welfare and Tribal Courts conference in San Diego, CA focusing on such issues as methamphetamine risks to women and children, drug endangered children protocols and other related topics.

November 30, 2006 Event: DEA San Diego Demand Reduction undergraduate presentation illustrating methamphetamine-related issues in the criminal justice system (Imperial Valley Office).

November 30, 2006 Event: DEA press release highlighting numerous law enforcement, prevention and education organizations successes in the ongoing fight against methamphetamine trafficking and abuse. Individual interviews available upon requested.

B-roll available

Release Time: 9:00am

Location: San Diego Field Division Office, 4560 Viewridge Drive, San Diego, CA 92123