Greetings,
I am Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division and I’d like to welcome you to Operation Engage!
As we all know, there are far too many non-fatal and fatal drug overdoses affecting our communities, and sadly, these numbers are increasing. In response, DEA has moved toward community-level collaborative efforts to help reduce these numbers through education and awareness, using our wide range of resources.
Through Operation Engage, our division will focus on Chippewa County Michigan, with an emphasis on working with the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indian. This effort will primarily focus on targeting the threat of opioid and stimulant drugs. Other components of Operation Engage include:
- Stakeholder/Community Gatherings: To share the latest information about drug trends, drug threats, and other related pertinent information.
- The DEA’s Citizens Academy: DEA recognizes the importance of forging strong alliances with local communities and maintaining collaborative relationships with community leaders. The DEA’s Citizens Academy offers participants the opportunity to understand the world of federal drug law enforcement and the important role the DEA and the community together, play in combating drug trafficking, drug misuse, and related violence.
- Youth Engagement: Through programs like the DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program and in collaboration with CADCA and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, children of all ages will be able to actively participate in age-appropriate activities, designed for them to learn and gain the most knowledge about the dangers of drugs in a fun way.
- Community Outreach Programs: DEA, along with stakeholder involvement, will concentrate efforts in the communities most affected by opioid misuse. In those targeted communities, the Detroit Field Division will participate in facilitating prevention strategies to include, but not limited to, drug prevention training and technical assistance for communities, coalition outreach, and prescription drug take back events to name a few.
These are only a few of the many resources and opportunities we have available to share with our communities.
I invite you, and your families, to explore our Operation Engage webpage to learn about the many resources we have available. Learning as a family, early on, is the first step in avoiding drug experimentation, drug misuse, drug addiction, and all related behaviors that are plaguing our communities.
Always at your service,
SAC Orville O. Greene
Top Local Drug Threats
Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the primary source for cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and low-grade marijuana in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area.
Both fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine are readily available and its abuse continues to increase throughout Western Michigan.
Crystal methamphetamine, a purer form of meth, is a significant threat in Western Michigan, including Kalamazoo. The presence of Mexican crystal methamphetamine trafficked from the Southwest Border continues to be prevalent. The availability of crystal meth (also known as “ice”) continues to increase.
The influx of “ice” has had a major impact on the methamphetamine powder drug market in Michigan, which has led to an increase in violence throughout communities in Western Michigan.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Kalamazoo area law enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan have partnered to reduce drug trafficking and the associated violent crime that the affects the Kalamazoo area.
Community Resources
Local organizations that provide services to the public regarding addiction, community empowerment, drug education and prevention, drug take back programs, recovery, and overall health and wellness.
COPE Network – https://copenetwork.org
Integrated Services of Kalamazoo – https://iskzoo.org/our-services/adult-substance-use-disorders
Prevention Works – https://prevention-works.org
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
Looking for prevention resources specifically for young people? Go to the teen-focused site www.justthinktwice.com/. Here, they'll be able to get facts about drug use and learn ways to live a drug-free life.
Kalamazoo Department of Parks & Recreation Programs – https://kzooparks.org/Programs
Prevention Works – https://prevention-works.org
Kalamazoo Public Safety – https://kalamazoocity.org/Government/Departments/Public-Safety
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi – https://nhbp-nsn.gov
Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation – www.kzooparks.org
Elks Drug Awareness Program – www.elks.org
We're Back! Awkward Conversations Season 3
Elks Drug Awareness Program is partnering with the DEA to release Season 3 of Awkward Conversations, in which "Full House" star Jodie Sweetin speaks with celebrity parents and guest experts to help parents learn how to empower their kids with the tools needed to stay safe, drug-free, and make smart decisions. New episodes will be posted each week through the end of 2023 and can be accessed here.
Go to FindTreatment.gov to search for general drug treatment facilities in your area. On this site, you can find facilities that offer various payment options (including free and no-cost care), youth treatment facilities, special programs for Veterans, plus more.
Otherwise, enter your zipcode below to find substance abuse treatment facilities in your area.
Events
Date: March 26-28, 2024
Time: 9am-12pm
Where: Athens Jr/Sr High School, 300 E. Holcomb St., Athens, MI 49011
Join Operation Engage Kalamazoo to celebrate a healthy lifestyle. Athens, Michigan youth from 3rd to 6th grade are invited to participate in this free event featuring art, "Protect Your Brain," and sports. Please RSVP by turning in your waiver form to Officer Frank Rugg or Jennifer Bittner or scanning the QR code in the flyer above.
Questions: Francis.Rugg@nhbp-nsn.gov
