DEA Museum Foundation Honors Betty Sembler
The DEA Museum Foundation recently presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Mrs. Betty Sembler for her thirty-plus years of leadership and commitment to fighting drugs. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation and recognizes long and sustained commitments to drug law enforcement, drug abuse treatment and drug abuse education.

DEA Museum Foundation To Honor Betty Sembler
On March 6, 2008 the DEA Museum Foundation will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Mrs. Betty Sembler for her thirty years of leadership and commitment to fighting drugs. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation and recognizes long and sustained commitments to drug law enforcement, drug abuse treatment and drug abuse education. For more information on this event and the Foundation's Award >>

DEA Museum Featured on PBS Program
The DEA Museum is one of the Washington, D.C. area attractions featured on the local PBS Affiliate WETA Channel 26 program "The WETA Guide" first airing on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Check local listings for cable channel listing and rebroadcast times.

New Exhibit Announced
The DEA Museum in partnership with the DEA Museum Foundation will open a new exhibit to the public at the museum in Arlington starting November 13, 2007. Good Medicine, Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America will explore the history of prescription drug abuse and DEA's role in regulating and combating this issue through the Office of Diversion Control. Check back as more details and a virtual tour of the exhibit will premier on this web site soon.

Museum Foundation to Host Chicago Vigil
June 13, 2007 - In conjunction with the DEA Museum's exhibition Target Chicago now on display at Navy Pier, the DEA Museum Foundation will host a Candlelight Vigil in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier at 6:30 PM on June 18, 2007. The Vigil will serve to remember the lives lost to drug abuse and drug-related violence and rededicate the community to living drug-free, so that not another light is dimmed. Read the Foundation's news release on the event here.

Spring 2007 Lecture Series
June 12, 2007 - The U.S. Role in Developing International Drug Controls Part III in our continuing series, Good Medicine Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America.

Please join us on Tuesday, June 12th, at 10:00 a.m. in the DEA HQ Auditorium as we listen to a presentation by Terrance Woodworth, former Deputy Director of the Office of Diversion Control (retired). Terry will discuss the evolution of the international drug control system, starting in the 1800s, moving through the first international drug conference in Shanghai, China, and describing several key international drug control treaties in the 20th century. He will also touch briefly on the United Nations organization and important agencies that play a role in international drug control, as well as various key national laws passed in the U.S.

Please enter the building through the Museum entrance on Hayes Street.

Spring 2007 Lecture Series
May 31, 2007 - Operation Cyberchase: The Story of One Internet Drug Trafficking Investigation Part II, in our continuing series, Good Medicine, Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America.

Please join us on Thursday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. in the DEA Auditorium as we listen to Diversion Investigator Carlos Aquino from the Philadelphia Field Office give us highlights on Operation Cyberchase. As a result of this operation, DEA identified approximately 200 web sites that illegally sold prescription drugs and arrested 25 individuals who had been operating in the United States, India, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Spring 2007 Lecture Series
March 27, 2007 - Diversion, All You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask. Turkey Gizzards, Vitamin Q, Gorilla Biscuits, Quaaludes, Ludes, Wallbangers. What are these things, and what do they have to do with DEA?

Please join us on Tuesday, March 27th, at 2:00 p.m. in the DEA Auditorium as we find the answers to these questions and more with Ron Buzzeo, Former Deputy Director of DEA's Office of Diversion Control (retired), and Jim Crawford, Special Assistant to the Deputy Asst. Administrator, Office of Diversion Control (ODXS). Ron will speak on Methaqualone - a Domestic and International Success Story, while Jim will fill us in on the Assurance of Availability for Legitimate Use. Please direct any questions to Catie Drew, Museum Education Coordinator at 202.353.1362.

Dignitaries Gather to Open "Target Chicago" Exhibit
February 8, 2007 - Dignitaries from across the greater Chicago area gathered at Navy Pier on Chicago's lakefront today to cut the ribbon on "Target Chicago: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause." An extension of the popular "Target America" interactive traveling exhibit, "Target Chicago" will be on display at Navy Pier through the generous support of the Motorola Foundation and others through September 15, 2007. For more information, visit www.navypier.com.

New Exhibit Opened at DEA Museum
January 9, 2007 - "Discovering a Mushroom Lab," an exhibit on the successful investigation and seizure of a rare clandestine hallucinogenic mushroom lab near Macedon, New York, was opened at the DEA Museum today. DEA worked closely with the Macedon Police Department to identify and seize this indoor mushroom lab and the tools and equipment that were part of the lab setup. The exhibit will be on display through Summer 2007.

Exhibit Run Extended in Chicago
December 13, 2006 - The DEA Museum traveling exhibit, "Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause," which just completed a successful run at Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, will have an extended run in Chicago. Thanks to the generosity of the Chicago Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, portions of the "Target America" exhibit will be on display at Chicago’s Navy Pier through September 15, 2007 under the title "Target Chicago: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause." For more information, visit www.navypier.com.

DEA Museum Honored by Chicago Crime Commission
October 19, 2006 - The DEA Museum was recognized by the Chicago Crime Commission with a 2006 Stars of Distinction award for the exhibit "Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause." The exhibit is on display at Chicago's famous Museum of Science & Industry through December 3rd. Read more here on the Crime Commission, www.chicagocrimecommission.org. Read more here on the exhibit, www.msichicago.org.

In Chicago - Traveling Exhibit Opens, Peter Bensinger Honored
August 11, 2006 - The DEA Museum's traveling exhibit, "Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause," opened to the public today at Chicago's famed Museum of Science and Industry. DEA Administrator Karen Tandy and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley joined other dignitaries to cut the ribbon on the exhibit. At a separate dinner DEA Museum Foundation Board Member and Former DEA Administrator Peter Bensinger was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than thirty years of dedicated work to the drug issue. Mayor Daley proclaimed August 11, 2006 as "Peter Bensinger Day" in Chicago in honor of Peter's many years of public service. For more information on the Target America traveling exhibit

DEA Museum Foundation Board Member Honored for Lifetime Achievements
May 22, 2006 - Dr. Mark Gold, Chief of Addiction Medicine at the University of Florida and a Member of the Board of the DEA Museum Foundation, received the Nelson J. Bradley lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. Gold is recognized for changing the medical field's understanding of how opiate drugs and cocaine hijack the human brain. His work has led to new treatments for addicts, tests for drug intoxication and understanding of how heroin, other opiates and cocaine cause dependence and withdrawal. Click here for more information on the DEA Museum foundation

May 1, 2006 - An exhibit Advisory Committee has been formed for the Chicago stop for "Target America," the DEA Museum's traveling exhibit on the costs and consequences of illegal drugs on society. The Advisory Committee is comprised of key Chicago community leaders with Mayor Richard Daley serving as Honorary Chair. Click here for a full list of the members of the committee.

1.10.2006 - The DEA Museum is pleased to announce the Target America traveling exhibit will be on display at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Illinois. The Target America traveling exhibit will be on display from August 11, 2006 through December 3, 2006. For more information, please go to www.targetamerica.org or www.msichicago.org.

3.9.2005 - The DEA Museum is pleased to announce the next location for the Target America traveling exhibit. The New Detroit Science Center, Detroit, Michigan will host this powerful exhibit on the costs and consequences of drugs on society from April 2, 2005 through October 2, 2005. For more information, please go to www.targetamerica.org.

1.31.2005 - The DEA Museum is pleased to announce that the Target America traveling exhibit has been extended in Times Square in New York City beyond the original closing date. The exhibit will now be open through March 19, 2005. Target America is open to the public seven days a week from 9 AM to 8 PM, free of charge, at One Times Square. For more information, please go to www.targetamerica.org.

8.30.2004 - The Target America: Drug Traffickers, Terrorists and You traveling exhibit is coming to Times Square in New York City September 14, 2004. Target America has captured the hearts of Americans around the country, helping to educate the public on the connection between drugs and terrorism. Now traveling to New York, the exhibit has been expanded to continue the goal of educating Americans about the consequences of illegal drug abuse. For more information, please go to www.targetamerica.org.

5.19.2004 - The "Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause" traveling exhibit is coming to Times Square in New York City in the fall of 2004. "Target America" has captured the hearts of Americans around the country, helping to educate the public on the connection between drugs and terrorism. Now traveling to New York, the exhibit will be expanding to continue the goal of educating Americans about the consequences of illegal drug abuse. "Target America" will be at One Times Square from September 7, 2004 through January 31, 2005.
"Defending Liberty" also explores the legal and illegal use of drugs during each conflict. With each war, new problems and challenges were presented to the medical community. Some were easily resolved and others linger to this day. "Defending Liberty" will be on exhibit in the museum lobby through Veteran's Day, November 11, 2004. The exhibit is part of the D.C.-wide commemorations of the dedication of the new WWII Memorial on the Mall in downtown Washington, D.C. For more information on "Defending Liberty," please contact the DEA Museum Business Office at (202) 307-3463.

5.1.2004 - Beginning May 4, 2004, the DEA Museum opens a unique exhibit commemorating veterans of American wars. From the interesting perspective of DEA employees and their relatives, visitors will see participation in the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, the Gulf War of 1991, and the Gulf War of 2003. Many DEA employees have a proud military heritage that has spanned generations. After searching through trunks and attics, they have uncovered artifacts and histories that highlight the defense of liberty over the generations. The exhibit features more than 200 artifacts and hundreds of personal photographs.

3.22.2004 - New in virtual exhibits: "Club Drugs: Dancing with Darkness." This virtual exhibit examines the dangers of these drugs and also the affects of these drugs on users. View the exhibit: Club Drugs: Dancing with Darkness

1.15.2004 - New educational resources are now available on the website. Click on Education to access these materials for students and teachers that can be used in conjucntion with a planned visit to the Museum.

11.19.2003 - "DEA: Air, Land & Sea Exhibit" is now open to the public. The exhibit features DEA on the different fronts of the drug war in the air, on the land, and on the sea. For more information, go to the exhibit website: DEA: Air, Land & Sea.

7.28.03 - The DEA Museum is pleased to launch a redesigned and revamped website to make it more visitor friendly and more informational. The site has new pages including education, the Museum Foundation, Museum Archives, and a new Illegal Drugs in America exhibit page. The site also has a new virtual exhibits section with a new virtual exhibit: The Purple Heart Award. Over the next several months, the Museum will continue to update the site - expanding the education section to continue our mission of educating visitors on the history of drugs and drug law enforcement.


More news to come....