Together for Families: Events to Prevent, Protect and Educate

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April and May are filled with opportunities to learn and take action to protect your community. Jump to the articles below!

DEA National Take Back Day

National Fentanyl Awareness Day

APALD-5th Annual National Awareness Day

Trends, Analysis & Threats Call

We’re Growing

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

DEA Take Back Day, April 26, 2025, is right around the corner.

First, we hope that you and your family participate in this year’s Take Back Day. Getting unwanted medications out of your home helps assure that they will not be misused or pollute the environment. Find a Take Back location near you here.

Second, your help in promoting DEA Take Back Day to your co-workers, neighbors, and the audiences you serve, is greatly appreciated. DEA has developed a partnership toolbox that has social media messages, posters, flyers and more that raise awareness about how to dispose of medication and why it is so important. You can also share public service announcements about the event.

Third, we hope that you will remember and communicate the message that Every Day is Take Back Day. Those who cannot participate in an in-person event on April 26 can find a permanent, year-round Take Back location here.

Your support for DEA Take Back Day is greatly appreciated.

National Fentanyl Awareness Day As part of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, April 29, Song for Charlie is hosting two national webinars. The New Drug Talk: Community Edition Webinar April 29, 2025 03:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) Equip yourself with the knowledge to protect the young people in your life from fentanyl and fake prescription pills. This session includes a screening of Song for Charlie’s 27-minute film for parents and communities, “The New Drug Talk,” followed by Q&A/panel with impacted family members, medical professionals, and prevention experts. This session will cover: the current reality of fentanyl and fake prescription pills; how to have effective conversations with teens and young adults; warning signs to look for and actions to take; where to find naloxone and how to use it; and how companies can support employees in protecting the young people in their lives. Featured Speakers: Hina Talib, MD FAAP Pediatrician & Adolescent Medicine Specialist, Atria Institute - @teenhealthdoc; Elizabeth Zona, DO, D.ABA, FASAM, Substance Use Prevention Educator, Founder, Dr.EMZ Dreams, Inc.; Denise Mariano, Vice President, Partnerships, Song for Charlie and Parent Moderator:  Marcia Lee Taylor, Former President and CEO, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Strategy Consultant, Song for Charlie

Real Talk About Fake Pills: Educator Edition Apr 29, 2025 06:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) Learn how to bring lifesaving fentanyl and fake prescription pills education to students. Join a special screening of “Real Talk About Fake Pills,” Song for Charlie’s new 20-minute film for middle and high school students, complete with implementation strategies and a Q&A/panel discussion with education experts. This session will cover: how to effectively present the film in your classroom; using the lesson plan; implementing Song for Charlie’s peer-to-peer program at your school; and resources available to support ongoing education Featured Speakers: Armand King, Director of Program Development, Walk With Me Impact; Christopher Pepper, Award-Winning Educator, Editor of TeenHealthToday.com, Co-author of Talk To Your Boys; Amelia Whalen, Wellness Coordinator, Las Lomas High School. Moderator: Laura Didier, Director of Outreach at Song for Charlie.

APALD – 5th Annual National Awareness Day – May 3, 2025

APALD is a national organization with a mission to empower and engage the public in working toward change, raising awareness, and collaborating efforts to combat the synthetic drug crisis. On May 3, 2025, they will mark the 5th Annual National Awareness Day at events across the United States. Locations and times are listed below.

Trends, Analysis & Threats Call

Overdose Response Strategy is hosting a bi-monthly webinar to deliver the latest information on today’s drug environment.

What:  A bi-monthly webinar series delivering briefings on current and emerging drug trends from experts with leading forensic and toxicology labs —including the DEA Special Testing Laboratory, NMS Labs, and Millennium Health

Who:  Open to any interested professionals throughout the country working in public safety, public health, or other disciplines to prevent overdoses.

When:  First Wednesday, every other month; 2:00 to 3:00PM Eastern time, starting on May 7, 2025.

Use the link below to register and view upcoming dates.

To submit questions or topics of interest, contact ors-tat@nhac.org.

We’re Growing!

The Together for Families network now includes hundreds of organizations and individuals from across the United States.  Please encourage families and community members concerned about substance use to sign up for updates.

Also, if you work with an organization that has a free resource, information or event that you want families to know about, encourage them to join the Together for Families network by e-mailing togetherforfamilies@dea.gov.