Cole Sworn in as DEA Administrator
Terrance C. “Terry” Cole was sworn in as DEA Administrator on July 23, 2025, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Mr. Cole is a distinguished public servant who has spent more than 31 years in law enforcement, 22 of which were at DEA fighting the drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations. Since 2023, Mr. Cole has served as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security in Governor Youngkin’s cabinet overseeing 11 state public safety agencies, comprising more than 19,000 employees.
Mr. Cole’s appointment by the Trump Administration to lead the nation’s largest drug enforcement agency places him at the forefront of the fight against Foreign Terrorist Organizations, which use drugs, violence, and crime to threaten public safety and national security.
Throughout his career, Mr. Cole forged strong partnerships with international, federal, state, tribal, and local partners to drive strategic operations focused on dismantling the cartels. During his time serving as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security in Governor Youngkin’s cabinet, he spearheaded initiatives that drove a 44% reduction in overdose deaths. Between November 2023 and November 2024, Virginia led the nation in the largest year-over-year percentage decline in drug-related deaths.
"As I once again walk through the doors of DEA, I am reminded of the passion and commitment I carried as a Special Agent, the same passion that drives the men and women in this agency. The gravity of DEA's mission was clear as I stood witness to President Donald Trump signing the Halt Fentanyl Act surrounded by Angel Families holding onto the memories of those they lost. They are the reason we remain focused, determined, and unwavering," said DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole.
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National Night Out Is August 5
 (From left to right) Public Affairs Specialist Kelly McKay, Investigative Assistant Mike Miller, Community Outreach Specialist Shastity Urias, Diversion Program Specialist Elena Jacques host a table at National Night Out in San Diego.
National Night Out culminates annually on the first Tuesday in August.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.
Many DEA Community Outreach Specialists will participate in National Night Out events across the country.
National Drug Survey Released
 On July 28, 2025, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in United States reported their experience with mental health conditions, substance use and pursuit of treatment. This year marks the first year since 2020 in which there are at least four years of comparable data for key NSDUH outcomes to enable reporting of trends.
The 2024 NSDUH provides a national snapshot of behavioral health in the United States based on self-reported responses from nearly 70,000 people. In addition, the 2024 NSDUH marks the first year since 2020 in which there are at least four years of comparable data for key NSDUH outcomes, adjusting for survey design changes since 2020, enabling reporting of trends for the first time since 2019.
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