Today, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched a new comprehensive law enforcement and prevention initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse, and overdose deaths. “Operation Engage” allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat and resulting violence in their respective geographic areas. The initiative replaces DEA’s 360 Strategy, which aimed its resources specifically at opioids, and allows field divisions to customize plans and direct resources to target the drug that presents the greatest threat to public health and safety in their jurisdictions. DEA Miami Field Division submitted one of the 11 proposals approved in the initial round of funding and will focus its Operation Engage efforts on opioids.
“South Florida communities continue to be plagued by the opioid crisis and addiction.” said DEA’s Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis. “Working closely with our law enforcement and community partners, DEA is committed to providing assistance and resources to communities to achieve the following goals.”
- Identify the drugs that affect individuals and families in the designated areas
- Identify evidence-informed strategies that best fit community needs
- Identify and eliminate local drug threats in every field division
- Support and contribute to local drug use prevention efforts
- Bridge local public safety and public health efforts
- Build on the success of DEA 360 and expand Operation Engage nationwide in 2022
Recent statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control show an alarming rise in drug overdose deaths, with synthetic opioids driving record-high fatalities. The vast majority of deaths involve illicitly manufactured fentanyl, including fentanyl analogs.
Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine increased almost 35% in the past year and now exceed the number of cocaine-involved overdose deaths, which increased by 26.5%. The record number of overdose deaths represents an 18 percent increase year over year. While this increase began prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, it accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic. These deaths are likely linked to the co-use or contamination of cocaine and synthetic opioids.
