Mission
The mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Heroin Education Action Team (USA HEAT) is to reduce the growing harm to Connecticut families and communities caused by heroin/opioid abuse by increasing community understanding of this epidemic. USA HEAT is a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and families who have lost a loved one to an overdose. These courageous moms, dads, brothers, sisters and children share their story in order to help others avoid the grief of losing a family member from this dangerous epidemic.
Heroin, Fentanyl, and other opioids are increasingly available on Connecticut streets, with deadly consequences. The victims of drug addiction and overdose deaths are getting younger. Abuse of these deadly drugs is not limited to any particular socioeconomic group. The increasing incidence of opiate abuse fuels violent and property crime in our communities, stresses our social services network, burdens our healthcare system, and reaches into our schools. Most of all, this scourge is devastating Connecticut families and robbing us of the promise and potential of thousands of our citizens who are enslaved by addiction.
USA HEAT seeks to inform our communities of what we are up against, and what we can do to fight back. Our team members deliver a compelling message, based on the tragedy that they have experienced first-hand. USA HEAT seeks to mobilize our communities to implement a coordinated, effective response to this growing threat. U.S. Attorney John Durham and his staff partner with members of the team to deliver a truly powerful message to community groups about the growing heroin epidemic and its real impact on our families.
Educational Videos
The Opioid Crisis Hits Home: Stories from Connecticut
Chasing the Dragon
U.S. Attorney’s Office Heroin & Opioid Abuse Awareness Conference (September 21, 2016, CT-N)
U.S. Attorney’s Office & Yale School of Law Opioid Crisis in Connecticut Forum (September 29, 2017, CT-N)
HEAT in the Media
April 5, 2018 - "Say No" to heroin and opioids and their raging effects on society
January 30, 2018 - Teens Confront The Threat Of Opioid Addiction
January 23, 2018 - Griswold students hear of opioid addiction’s impact
November 3, 2017 - US Attorney’s Office taking opioid abuse prevention into schools across Connecticut
October 5, 2017 - Fairfield schools team up to host a Heroin and Opioid Awareness event
October 2, 2017 - “Glimmer Of Hope” Seen On Opioids
September 29, 2017 - DEA Chief speaks at Yale opioid forum
August 9, 2017 - Targeting dealers in Connecticut overdose cases making a difference
July 17, 2017 - After Losing Daughter To Opioids, Local Mom Presses On Helping Others
April 25, 2017 - Connecticut law enforcement officials in Middletown: ‘Scourge’ of opioid overdoses must end
April 6, 2017 - Educating Public on Dangers of Opiates The Goal of HEAT Program
March 18, 2017 - Weston High School turns up the HEAT on opioid use
December 17, 2016 – Connecticut parents find coping with death in state opioid epidemic a tough and lonely road
December 17, 2016 – Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office working to help parents of fatal overdose victims
September 22, 2016 – Not All Opioids Are Equal
September 21, 2016 – Amid Opioid Epidemic, Fentanyl Discussed as Growing Problem
September 21, 2016 – Heroin and Opioid Awareness Conference Held in Waterbury
September 20, 2016 – New Haven Rehab Center Helps US Attorney Learn about Addiction Treatments amid aim to Target Opioid Crisis
September 19, 2016 – The Perfect Storm
Contact Us
For more information or to invite USA HEAT to address your group,
contact USACT.HEAT@usdoj.gov or call Ines Cenatiempo, Victim Assistance Specialist, at 203-821-3757.