Drug Enforcement Administration facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drug Enforcement Administration |
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Drug Enforcement Administration's seal
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DEA Special Agent badge
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Flag of the DEA
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| Agency overview | |
| Formed | July 1, 1973 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Employees | 10,169 (2019) |
| Annual budget | US$3.136 billion (FY2019) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | United States |
| Operations jurisdiction | United States |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Special Agents | 4,924 |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | United States Department of Justice |
| Website | |
| www.dea.gov | |
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is a special law enforcement agency in the United States. It works for the United States Department of Justice. The DEA's main job is to make sure people follow the drug laws in the U.S. They also help with drug law investigations in other countries. The DEA works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to keep communities safe.
Contents
What is the DEA's History?
The Drug Enforcement Administration started on July 1, 1973. It was created by President Richard Nixon. He wanted one main agency to handle all federal drug laws. This new agency would also bring together different government efforts to control drugs.
In 1999, the DEA opened a special place called the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum. It is located in Arlington, Virginia. In 2003, the DEA also started a Digital Evidence Laboratory. This lab helps them use science to solve cases.
How is the DEA Organized?
The DEA is led by an Administrator of Drug Enforcement. The President of the United States chooses this person. The U.S. Senate must then agree with the choice. The Administrator reports to the Attorney General.
Where Does the DEA Train?
The DEA has its own training center. It is called the DEA Academy. This academy is on a United States Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI Academy is also located there.
How Big is the DEA?
The DEA has many offices. It has 21 main offices across the U.S. These are called domestic divisions. There are also 227 smaller offices in the U.S. The DEA also has 86 offices in 62 other countries.
The DEA has a large budget. It employs over 10,800 people. More than 5,500 of these people are Special agents. These agents work hard to enforce drug laws.
How Does the DEA Regulate Medicines?
The DEA has a system for certain medicines. This system allows doctors and other health workers to prescribe some medicines. These include dentists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
The system also helps researchers and companies that make medicines. It gives them permission to work with certain types of drugs. These drugs are listed in different categories, like "Schedule I" through "Schedule V." This helps control how these medicines are used.
Images for kids
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DEA Aviation Division logo
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Two DEA agents in a shoot house exercise
See also
In Spanish: Administración de Control de Drogas para niños
