CAMDEN – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration announced that southern New Jersey has been designated to be part of a comprehensive law enforcement, diversion control, and prevention “360 Strategy” to help cities dealing with the heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic, and its associated violent crime. DEA New Jersey Division Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson made the announcement with other organizations in law enforcement, medical, education and faith based professionals, and substance abuse prevention and treatment experts.
“New Jersey is facing a heroin and prescription opioid abuse epidemic like we have never seen before. The DEA 360 Strategy aims to bring together the expertise of law enforcement, the medical community, drug prevention and treatment partners and other experts to address this problem that is wreaking havoc across our state,” said Nickerson.
The DEA 360 Strategy will concentrate in the counties of Mercer, Ocean, Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May, and is comprised of a three-pronged approach to fighting drug trafficking and stemming abuse:
- Enforcement – coordinated actions against drug cartels and heroin traffickers in specific communities;
- Diversion Control – enforcement actions against DEA registrants operating outside the law and long-term engagement with pharmaceutical drug manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and practitioners; and
- Community Outreach – by partnering with medical professionals, government and community service organizations and community coalitions we plan to proactively educate the public of the dangers of prescription drug and heroin abuse.
“Enforcement has been and always will be the backbone of what DEA does,” Nickerson said. “We know that this is a problem that cannot be addressed by law enforcement alone. It is working together with all of our partners in law enforcement, education, prevention and treatment, and the medical community among others where we can have the greatest impact.”
In the near future, DEA and its partners plan to host a youth summit for New Jersey students to educate them on sustainable and impactful efforts to address drug misuse and abuse.
DEA has also partnered with national organizations that have a local reach: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), DEA Educational Foundation, Discovery Education – Operation Prevention, and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.
