U.S. Attorney’s Office For The Middle District Of Florida Supports National Heroin And Opioid Awareness Week

Tampa, FL - Attorney General Loretta Lynch has designated the week of September 19, 2016, as National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week. Accordingly, a large number of U.S. Attorney’s offices, including the Middle District of Florida (MDFL), are joining with law enforcement to engage local community stakeholders, and collaborate with public health professionals to help combat this growing epidemic. 

This week, the USAO/MDFL will participate in panel discussions on opioid addiction problems in Florida and the law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts to combat the crisis. Each forum will include a viewing of Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, a collaboratively produced documentary by the FBI and DEA to help educate students and young adults about the dangers of opioid addiction. The 45-minute film, whose title refers to the never-ending pursuit of the original or ultimate high, features stark first-person accounts, as told by individuals who have abused opioids or whose children have abused the drugs, with tragic consequences.

The video, Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, can be found on either the FBI or DEA websites using the following links:  

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/raising-awareness-of-opioid-addiction or

https://www.dea.gov/media/chasing-dragon.shtml.

The rise of heroin use and the abuse of prescription opioids in the United States is currently a huge challenge to public health and safety. It threatens our communities, families, and children. The Department of Justice has compiled additional resources to assist in combatting the heroin, fentanyl, and prescription drug problems in the United States. They can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/opioidawareness.