News Release
May 07, 2004

DEA Detroit Participates in Macomb Drug Prevention Conference

DRC Rich Isaacson and Michigan Drug Czar Yvonne Blackmond at the Macomb Interfaith Drug Trend Conference

MAY 07--On April 29th, 2004, DEA Detroit participated in the Macomb County Interfaith Prevention Coalition Annual Drug Trend Conference in Clinton Township, Michigan. The conference provided the attendees, who came from across Michigan and Ontario, Canada, with up to date, national and local drug trend information. Over 200 people from the fields of drug treatment, drug prevention, education and law enforcement attended the event.

Mary Ann Solberg, Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, discussed national drug trends with the audience. Deputy Director Solberg stated that we have achieved great success in the United States in the past two years in drug prevention by reducing teen age drug use by 11%. She emphasized that in order for that success to continue, teenagers need to consistently hear about the dangers of drug use from a variety of different sources.

DEA Demand Reduction Coordinator (DRC) Rich Isaacson provided the audience with an update on local drug use trends and a general discussion on drug prevention. Specific topics covered by DRC Isaacson included: the importance of parental influence on teen drug use; the dangers of misusing Over the Counter (OTC) Dextromethorphan products; and the recent increase in the non-medical use of prescription drugs in Michigan.

ONDCP Deputy Director Mary Ann Solberg and DEA DRC Rich Isaacson
conducted drug trend presentations at the conference