A national education effort to prevent the
spread of opioid misuse.
Television Specials and Virtual Town Halls on Opioid Awareness
As the world continues to fight against the spread COVID-19, we continue to discover the devastating impact this virus has had on those struggling with substance misuse and recovery. With the COVID-19 induced prohibition on large-scale events, the National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness have been postponed indefinitely. However, this has not stopped the DEA’s 360 Strategy and Operation Engage effort to educate the public and promote awareness around the topic of opioids and the opioid epidemic taking place in our communities.
DEA 360/Operation Engage and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation are organizing a series of Virtual Town Hall discussions addressing the core topic of “What Every Family Needs to Know About Opioids.” We are partnering with local television stations in select cities around the country to produce a television special about the opioid epidemic. Following each program, we will continue the important discussion online. Local leaders and prevention and treatment advocates will discuss the epidemic and its impact in the community and provide insight into local resources available to assist anyone dealing with any form of substance abuse. These experts will also take questions from the viewing audience. Join us for these important events!
National Digital Special
National Summit on Opioid Awareness & Walmart
Upcoming TV Specials
Monday, October 21, 2024
Thursday, November 7, 2024
7:00PM - 8:00PM
Charlotte, NC -
FOX Charlotte & Queen City News
Combatting the Fentanyl Crisis in the Carolinas
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
10:00AM – 11:00AM
Harrisburg, PA - ABC27 WHTM
OPIOID CRISIS: What Families Need to Know
Thursday, December 12, 2024
6:30PM - 7:00PM
Albany, NY - News 10 ABC WTEN
TV Special
Latest Programs
Thursday, December 21, 2023
9:00 PM-10:00 PM TV Special WYZZ-TV (FOX)
Facebook Live After Show
REBROADCAST WMBD-CBS TV: Airdate TBD
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
9:30 PM TV Special on FOX 21
Facebook Live Discussion After Show
Thursday, December 7, 2023
“More Than A Number” TV Special On WSYR ABC/ News 9
Podcast Discussion After Show
Watch Programs on Demand
Air Dates
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM TV Special on ABC TV JET 24
Facebook Live discussion After Show
Friday, November 17, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM TV Special on Fox66
Air Date
Saturday, April 29, 2023
8:00 PM TV Special on KLAS-TV CBS 8
9:00 PM KLAS-TV CBS 8 Facebook Live
Air Date
Saturday, March 29, 2023
7:30 PM TV Special on
WXIN-TV Fox59/WTTV CBS 4
8:00 PM Facebook Live
Air Date
Saturday, March 18, 2023
3:00 PM TV Special on WVBT-FOX 43
7:00 PM TV Special on WAVY-TV 10 NBC
Monday, March 20, 2023
1:00 PM Live Discussion on WAVY TV 10 Facebook page
Air Date
Saturday, March 25, 2023
7:00 PM TV Special on WHNT-TV (CBS)
8:00 PM WHNT-TV (CBS) Facebook Live
Air Date
Saturday, March 11, 2023
7:00 PM TV Special on WSAV-TV 3 NBC
8:00 PM WSAV-TV 3 NBC Facebook Live
Air Date
Saturday, March 11, 2023
8:00 PM TV Special WIVB-CBS 4/WNLO CW 23
9:00 PM Facebook Live Discussion
Air Date
Thursday, December 8, 2022
7:00 PM TV Special on TV Special on KOIN 6
followed by Facebook Live
Portland, OR
Air Date
Thursday, December 16, 2021
6:00 PM TV Special on KTSM-TV 9 NBC
7:00 PM Facebook Live
El Paso, TX
Air Date
Saturday, November 13, 2021
7:00 PM
Miami, FL
Air Date
Monday, November 1, 2021
8:00 PM
Philadelphia, PA
Air Date
Thursday, October 28, 2021
9:30 PM
Anchorage, AK
Air Date
Monday, October 18, 2021
7:00 PM
Michigan Upper Peninsula
Air Date
Saturday, October 16, 2021
7:00 PM
Dayton, OH
Air Date
Thursday, October 7, 2021
9:30 AM
Phoenix, AZ
Air Date
Saturday, August 14, 2021
8:00 PM
New Bedford, MA & Providence, RI
Air Date
Thursday, July 8, 2021
7:00 PM
Columbus, OH
Air Date
Thursday, July 8, 2021
9:00 PM
Little Rock, AR
Air Date
June 12, 2021
7:00 PM
Wichita, KS
Air Date
Friday, May 28, 2021
7:00 PM
Birmingham, AL
Air Date
Monday, May 24, 2021
7:00 PM
Albuquerque, NM
Air Date
Thursday, April 22, 2021
7:00 PM
Baton Rouge, LA
Air Date
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
7:00 PM
Milwaukee, WI
Air Dates
Saturday, April 17, 2021
10:35 PM
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
7:00 PM
Las Vegas, NV
Air Date
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
8:00 PM
Portland, ME
Air Date
Friday, December 11, 2020
8:00 PM
Baltimore, MD
Air Date
Thursday, October 15, 2020
5:30 PM
Knoxville, TN
About the Youth Summits
The National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness were half-day school events designed
to educate middle and high school students about the dangers of opioid misuse
while promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The National Summits took place in several cities across the United States.
When it is safe to gather again, we hope to be in a city near you soon! Check out some of the event highlights!
Past Youth Summit Locations
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
New Hampshire Drug Free Is Up to Me Virtual Youth Summit
Manchester, NH
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Greater Washington, D.C. Virtual Youth Summit on Substance Misuse
Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
UMBC Event Center
Baltimore, MD
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Lakefront Arena
New Orleans, LA
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Santa Ana Star Center
Rio Rancho, NM
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Freedom Hall
Louisville, Kentucky
Friday, October 12, 2018
Vivint Smart Home Arena
Salt Lake City, Utah
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Charleston Civic Center Coliseum
Charleston, West Virginia
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
SNHU Arena
Manchester, NH
Why Attend?
“This event can save lives...I’ve seen the reaction that teenagers have to it. I’ve seen kids think
about what they’re doing with their lives and...actually try to make a change.”--JIM WAHLBERG
View the If Only Movie Trailer
The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and Millennium Health present If Only, a short film intended for teens, parents and adults to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse and to start a conversation that encourages the safe use, storage and disposal of prescription drugs to keep them out of the hands of kids.
