DEA WASHINGTON DIVISION CALLS ON THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ON DANGERS OF DRUGS AND FAKE PILLS IN BACK TO SCHOOL ROUTINES

Washington, DC - As schools in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia open their doors to students and teachers this month, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division is urging the community to have important conversations about the consequences of drug experimentation and misuse as the new school year begins.

"We are seeing many of our fellow citizens, especially our young people, exposed to a powerful illegal drug supply. It is important for parents, caregivers, students, and educators to understand the dangers of substance misuse. Having open and honest conversations about these risks is crucial for keeping our loved ones safe and healthy. We should not underestimate the impact that a single conversation can have," said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division.

Illicit fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid, and methamphetamine are widely available throughout the DEA Washington Division area of responsibility. Their distribution is attributed to local gangs and drug traffickers who maintain connections with the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels in Mexico. In 2023 DEA Washington Division saw a surge of over 250% in fentanyl pill seizures. Maryland recorded the largest increase in fentanyl pill seizures with 132,000 pills, a 471 percent increase over 2022 totals. Virginia seized over 415,300 pills in 2023, which was a 260 percent increase from the previous year. The number of pills seized in the District of Columbia increased by nearly 60 percent, from 17,500 in 2022 to 27,600 in 2023.

SAC Forget explained that "it is important for the citizens to know that the only safe medication is the one prescribed specifically to them by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Fake pills are frequently laced with fentanyl and other drugs and are made to look like common prescription medications such as Xanax ®, Adderall ® and Oxycodone ®. These fake pills so closely resemble legitimate prescription meds that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a fake or the real pill." DEA laboratory testing indicates that seven out of every 10 fake pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl (only two milligrams)."

Vaping and marijuana use among youth remain topics of concern. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among adolescents aged 12-17 who used marijuana in the past year, more than half vaped marijuana, followed by about one-third who ate or drank marijuana. Families are encouraged to address the harmful side effects of vaping and ingesting marijuana edibles. Methamphetamine is not commonly found at the grade school level, although DEA seizures of the stimulant have been spiking in our area. Federal and local law enforcement has seen methamphetamine in crystal, powder, and pill form.

For more information on fentanyl, social media drug trafficking and how to talk about the dangers of drugs, visit www.dea.govOnePill, www.JustThinkTwice.govor www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.gov.