OUR PARTNERS
The New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) is one of 33 HIDTAs under the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and is comprised of the six New England states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Based on regional drug threat assessments, including the New England HIDTA Drug Threat Assessment published annually by the New England HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC), the New England HIDTA has formulated strategies in response to the most serious drug threats to the region. These strategies are implemented by the 21 enforcement initiatives spread throughout the six New England states. Each initiative is a cooperative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together to target drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and money laundering organizations (MLOs) that impact this region and other HIDTA regions throughout the country. Learn more at: https://www.nehidta.org/nehidta.
The Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) is a unique public health and public safety partnership between the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, or HIDTA, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.
The mission of the ORS is to help communities reduce fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses by connecting public health and public safety agencies, sharing information and pertinent intelligence and supporting innovative and evidence-based strategies. Learn more at: https://orsprogram.org/program-overview/.
The RISKS are REAL: The Truth about Fentanyl & Fake Pills is presented by Walmart in partnership with:
demandZERO is a Connecticut-based nonprofit founded by the Deane family in memory of their son Joe, who died of a fentanyl overdose, with a mission to confront the opioid crisis by disrupting the illegal trade of deadly narcotics and pushing for stronger enforcement, awareness, and policy change. They work collaboratively with law enforcement, community stakeholders, and legislators to halt the flow of illicit drugs into New England communities (especially in New Haven County and along the shoreline), reduce overdose deaths, and build local capacity to demand zero tolerance for lethal narcotics.
The Rendon Group (TRG) is a full-service strategic communications firm with offices in Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Specializing in special event management, public relations, coalition building, video and electronic production, and general communications consulting, TRG brings over 40 years of experience in developing and implementing complex, multi-layered campaigns and events that move seamlessly from concept to completion.
Since 2017, TRG has worked with leading federal, state, and local partners to advance education and awareness efforts addressing the opioid epidemic, including the growing threat of illicit fentanyl. For more than eight years, TRG has produced the National Summit on Opioid Awareness Campaign, a nationwide initiative focused on educating young people about the dangers of opioid misuse and fentanyl poisoning.
Through large-scale youth summits, regional television specials, esports tournaments, and virtual school assemblies, TRG’s mission is to save lives by raising awareness and empowering students to make informed, healthy choices. Learn more and view past campaigns at DrugFreeisUpToMe.org.
For over eight years, the National Summit on Opioid Awareness Campaign, produced by The Rendon Group in partnership with leading agencies and organizations, has worked to educate the American people, especially youth, on the dangers of opioid misuse and fentanyl poisoning. Through large-scale in-person youth summits, regional television specials, esports campaigns, and real-time virtual school assemblies, the organization’s mission is to save lives by raising awareness and inspiring young people to make informed choices. View past summit info at DrugFreeisUpToMe.org
What We’ve Done:
Youth Summits at Scale: Organized eight large-scale in-person arena summits nationwide, reaching over 50,000 students with prevention messaging.
Television Impact: Produced nearly 40 regional television specials in partnership with local affiliates, reaching more than 24 million viewers in communities across the country.
Virtual School Assemblies: Conducted live online assemblies reaching 15,000 students in New Hampshire, 8,000 in Hartford, CT, and 5,000 in Washington, DC, making life-saving information accessible in real time.
Esports Campaigns: Launched the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill / Game Over esports initiative, including tournaments in New Orleans, Pennsylvania, and New England, collectively reaching over 80,000 viewers with fentanyl poisoning prevention messaging.
National Digital Special: Produced the 2024–2025 special, Awareness, Action & Hope: Navigating the Opioid/Fentanyl Crisis, a 45-minute program highlighting the most compelling stories from their campaigns, now being distributed nationwide.
Join schools nationwide in taking part in this critical program.
Registration is free and simple.
After registering, you will receive regular program updates, access to educational materials, and a link to the livestream prior the event.
coaltion Partners
Partial listing to date.
The DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization established in 2001 whose goal is to educate the public on the many costs and consequences of illegal drugs and drug misuse in our society. The DEAEF strives to teach prevention through education and in a manner in which youth and communities can relate. The Foundation has reached over 100 cities through its after-school and community programs, striving to bring youth positive and healthy alternatives to drug use and strong mentorship through programs such as the DEAEF Youth Dance Program, DEAEF Youth Baseball Program, DEAEF Youth Martial Arts Program and more. The Foundation also partners with DEA on their Operation Engage and museum efforts, as well as with many other community partners on promoting critical prevention education. Learn more at: https://www.deaef.org/.
The Elks Drug Awareness Program, under the direction of the Elks Drug Awareness Commission, stands as the largest all-volunteer drug awareness initiative in the United States. With representation in all 50 states and nearly every major metropolitan area, the Program operates through approximately 2,000 local lodges and community partners nationwide.
The Elks are steadfast in their commitment to preventing the use and abuse of illegal substances across all sectors of society. We believe that the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation lies in ensuring that future generations are nurtured in safe, healthy, and drug-free environments.
Through education, collaboration, and community engagement, the Elks Drug Awareness Program strives to foster informed decision-making, promote personal responsibility, and strengthen the collective resolve to build safer and healthier communities for all. Learn more at: https://www.elks.org/dap/.
Emily’s Hope, founded by veteran journalist Angela Kennecke in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a nonprofit dedicated to erasing the stigma around substance-use disorder and supporting families through prevention, education and treatment scholarships in honor of Angela’s daughter, Emily, who lost her life to an illicit fentanyl poisoning in 2018. Learn more at: https://emilyshope.charity/.
The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to serving the distance education community. Their mission is to enhance the quality of distance learning by empowering instructors and designers with leading-edge tools, partner education, training, and resources.
The USDLA serves their members and partners by offering opportunities for community engagement, leadership development, EdTech discovery and professional growth. Their ultimate goal is to ensure a superior experience and improved outcome for remote learners worldwide. Learn more at usdla.org.
Young People in Recovery serves youth and young adults (defined as under age 30) in recovery from substance use disorder and those who are seeking recovery. YPR envisions a world where all young people have the resources they need to thrive in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. YPR’s mission is to provide the life skills and peer support to help young people recover from substance use disorder and reach their full potential. Learn more at youngpeopleinrecovery.org.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is intensifying its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of Fentanyl Free America, a comprehensive enforcement initiative and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for fentanyl.
This effort underscores DEA's unwavering commitment to protecting American lives and communities from the devastating impacts of fentanyl. Learn more at dea.gov/fentanylfree.
ARMOUR Families is a nonprofit platform advancing innovation, science, and data-driven solutions to prevent fentanyl poisoning and emerging synthetic drug deaths. We combine real stories from impacted families with forward-looking tools and partnerships to drive awareness, accountability, and long-term protection for youth and communities. Learn more at armourfamilies.org.
Facing Fentanyl is a national, family-led initiative uniting communities, advocates, and law enforcement to confront the fentanyl crisis through prevention, education, and action. As the home of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day (August 21), we amplify lived experience, share life-saving resources, and drive collaboration that protects families and honors those we’ve lost. Learn more at facingfentanylnow.org.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Operation Engage initiative is a comprehensive community-level approach that bridges public health and public safety to address the drug epidemic through prevention strategies, facilitating conversations and collaboration with local partners. Learn more at dea.gov/operation-engage.
Voices for Awareness Foundation is a nonprofit based in Colorado, dedicated to saving lives through education and prevention around counterfeit pills, fentanyl poisoning, and self-harm. We support impacted families, reduce stigma, and work alongside community and law enforcement partners to equip the public with fact-based resources and tools for action. Learn more at voicesforawareness.com.
The Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (TADEC) is a pioneering organization committed to protecting children from the detrimental effects of drug exposure and providing them with opportunities for a healthy, safe childhood. Grounded in the vision that every child in Tennessee deserves a secure environment to grow and develop, TADEC undertakes comprehensive, community-centric initiatives that empower children living amidst drug-related threats. The Alliance’s model of enhancing local existing coalitions with staffing and programming focused on drug-endangered children ensures statewide resources are specifically directed toward children living in environments or communities where illicit drugs are used, trafficked, and/or manufactured. Learn more about TADEC.