DEA Seattle Field Division Joins with Families to Increase Awareness about the Dangers of Fentanyl
Carol Schweigert whose son, Trey, 27, died of fentanyl poisoning, stands with other mothers at the Seattle Field Division Family Summit
SEATTLE– This week the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosted regional family summits across the country in support of those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning. The DEA Seattle Field Division invited families from Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho to the Family Summit held in Seattle on November 15th, 2022.
“This past Tuesday, 23 family members from across the Pacific Northwest who lost a loved one to a fentanyl poisoning came to the DEA Seattle Field Division to remember their loved one and to collaboratively work together to increase awareness and prevention efforts regarding fentanyl poisonings,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “The DEA stands with these families and anyone else who has suffered the tragic loss of a loved one to fentanyl. Together we will prevail.”
This is the first undertaking of its kind for the DEA field divisions and builds off the momentum of this summer’s Inaugural Family Summit hosted at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, VA.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram delivered remarks at Thursday’s Family Summit in Washington, D.C.
“The Justice Department will never give up in our effort to protect American lives,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We will continue to work tirelessly to get deadly drugs -- including fentanyl -- out of our communities. And through today’s Family Summit, we will help prevent future tragedies. Your stories and your participation are indispensable to the success of this effort. We are humbled to do this work alongside you, and we stand with you in honor of your loved ones.”
“The passion, commitment and incredible work these families are doing to prevent others from experiencing the profound pain of losing a loved one to a fentanyl poisoning inspires all of us at DEA. They have made it their mission to save lives. Their efforts are, and will remain, an integral part of DEA’s outreach, prevention and education programs,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The family summits are one of the ways DEA is working to meet this moment.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,622 people died by drug poisoning in the United States in 2021. A majority of drug poisoning deaths are attributed to synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.
The DEA regional family summits gather families who are passionate about saving lives through increased public awareness of fentanyl. These summits allow DEA to listen and learn from families as they share their personal stories. Additionally, the summits provide participants information on national drug threats and resources available to enhance local prevention efforts.
If you are interested in information on how to get involved in future events please complete the Advocates for Change form and submit it to familyoutreach@dea.gov.
DEA has resources available to help parents and care givers talk to kids about the dangers of drug use. You can also visit the Get Smart About Drugs website.
If you or someone you know needs help with substance use or mental health disorders, please visit DEA’s Recovery Resources page for list of resources.
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