Detroit is part of the Southeastern Michigan High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The Detroit Metropolitan Airport remains a major hub for smuggling drugs into and out of the United States. Special task forces and coalitions have been organized to combat drug smuggling in Detroit. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Group Six, established in 2000, is a multi-agency task force that fights drug trafficking in this area by targeting violators and drug trafficking organizations. Intelligence analysts from the DEA, FBI, US Customs Service, Michigan State Police, Detroit Police Department work together to try to prevent the trafficking of drugs throughout the Detroit area.
Demographics of the Typical Detroit Drug User
According to a report by Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services School of Social Work, 16.1 percent of those admitted to drug rehabilitation in Detroit from 2004 to 2006 had more than one admission during that three-year period. In the Detroit zip codes 48208, 48206, 48202 and 48201, admission rates were the highest, at 36 per 1000 residents. The majority of treatment admissions in Detroit were African American (90.9 percent), followed by whites at 6.1 percent and Latinos at 1.7 percent. More males (65.1 percent) entered treatment during those three years than females. About half of those admitted to treatment said that they first started using drugs between the ages of 10 and 19. Thirty percent of those admitted said that they or their families have had some involvement with the criminal justice system.
Substances of Abuse in Detroit
The Eastern Michigan University report, referenced above, found that between 2004 and 2006, the primary substances of abuse for those entering treatment were crack cocaine (31.2 percent) and heroin (30.5 percent). These were followed by alcohol (21.7 percent), marijuana (13.5 percent) and cocaine (1.9 percent). For those abusing more than one substance, alcohol was the most likely substance of secondary abuse, followed by crack cocaine.
How to Become a DEA Agent in Detroit
The DEA’s Detroit Division includes the entire Detroit metropolitan area as well as the rest of Michigan. Detroit houses the division’s district office. In order to become a DEA agent in Detroit, one must meet requirements and go through training.
Qualifications that one must meet in order to become a DEA agent in Detroit include possession of a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.95 GPA, a master’s degree, or a J.D or L.L.B degree. If a candidate does not possess a degree but possesses experience in drug or narcotic investigations, this may be acceptable. Three years of specialized experience such as military, air or sea or foreign language fluency along with a bachelor’s degree is also accepted for those wishing to become a DEA agent in Detroit.
The Special Agent Recruiter for the Detroit Division is Christopher Taylor. To discuss Detroit DEA jobs and careers, call (313) 234-4275 or email DetroitSpecialAgentRecruiter@usdoj.gov.