DEA's Atlanta division establishes prescription drug texting tip line

ATLANTA — The Drug Enforcement Administration's Atlanta Field Division last week announced the launch of an anonymous statewide prescription drug texting tip line available to the public. 

The TIP411 web-based initiative is the first-ever federally administered prescription drug abuse tip line of its kind in the state, the DEA noted. The TIP411 service allows for the public to quickly, easily and anonymously report prescription drug abuse by texting TIP411 or 847-411 then using the keyword PILLTIP. The tips will be forwarded directly to a DEA agent, who will then act upon the information. 

"This method of communication is a great opportunity for the public to anonymously engage in the fight against state-wide prescription drug abuse while keeping up with today's technology," said Harry Sommers, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA AFD. "The illegal prescription drug market and relative ease of which pharmaceutical substances can be obtained has resulted in a sharp increase in prescription drug abuse throughout Georgia. DEA and its federal, state and local partners are fully committed to combating this growing issue." 

When the TIP411 program becomes active, the DEA AFD will simultaneously send prescription drug abuse educational packets to 1,200 pharmacies located throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. The packets will contain a refrigerator magnet which displays, "Report RX Fraud Anonymously," a Pharmacist's Guide to Prescription Fraud, a Prescription Drug Intelligence Alert from SAC Sommers and a TIP411 advertisement brochure.