History of DEA’s Foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Team

DEA's Foreign-deployed Advisory Support Team (FAST) program deployed specially trained DEA agents to work alongside U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and NATO forces. FAST units partnered with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to identify and dismantle Afghanistan's top drug traffickers, disrupt the opium and heroin trade, and cut off financial pipelines supporting terrorist organizations. The program later expanded to other regions, including Africa, Ukraine, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Drugs and You: Use Your Head Traveling Exhibit

The DEA Museum presents Drugs and You: Use Your Head, a traveling exhibit for use in public libraries to inform young people about drugs. The exhibit addresses teens and younger children by asking, "So what's the big deal about drugs?" Drugs and You: Use Your Head, provides information about different drugs and encourages teens to develop dreams for their future, engage in healthy activities, and build positive relationships. 

Exhibit content is presented in a fact filled, non-threatening way. An appealing quasi-graphic novel design and information bubbles invite teens to explore exhibit content and QR codes. The QR codes connect with additional relevant and engaging information on exhibit topics through videos, written materials, and an interactive game. 

The topics covered include marijuana, opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, inhalants, vaping, prescription drugs, counterfeit pills, fentanyl, addiction, avoiding peer pressure, and more. 

 

Intelligence Analyst Joshua Arthur

Joshua Aaron Arthur

Intelligence Analyst

January 17, 1977 - April 24, 2024

Joshua Arthur supported the mission of the DEA in many roles. Beginning as a contractor for the El Paso Intelligence Center in 2002, IA Arthur served in roles with the Data Management Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Asset Identification Unit, and then finally with the Document Exploitation Program at the DEA El Paso Division. Tragically, an accident involving industrial road debris killed IA Arthur as he was returning to his office to process evidence from a warrant. Read more >

 

Visitors inspect galleries in DEA Museum.

The DEA Museum Educates, Engages, and Inspires All Ages

March 27, 2024

The DEA Museum, which originally debuted in 1999, was reimagined by staff and partners in 2021 to engage and educate the public in a colorful, contemporary space.

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How President Nixon Ended the First Opioid Epidemic

How President Nixon Ended the First Opioid Epidemic

February 9, 2024

DEA Museum presents How President Nixon Ended the First Opioid Epidemic, with former administrator Robert C. Bonner.