If you’ve ever wondered about the history of the war on drugs or the story of fighting the “bad guys” of illegal drug trafficking, look no further than Arlington’s DEA Museum and Visitors Center, where on the first floor of the Drug Enforcement Administration offices in Pentagon City, special exhibits and galleries trace the steps of the war on drugs throughout history.
The DEA Museum’s main exhibit, Illegal Drugs in America: A Modern History, tells the history of drug trafficking and how DEA has works to stop illegal drug trafficking. The exhibit starts with the opium wars of the 1850s and continues through present day. Another exhibit, Good Medicine, Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America, explores the history of prescription drug abuse and diversion in the United States and efforts to combat the problem through time.
With interactive learning opportunities and special programs for kids, the DEA Museum is a great place for visitors 10 and older to learn more about the work of the men and women of the DEA. The Museum is open to the public free-of-charge Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are not required, but please call to arrange for a group tour of the Museum.