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Drug Diversion–The Past 20 Years–Part 1

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I realized the other day that I had just completed 20 years of being deeply involved in the world of drug diversion. Of course, as a young uniformed law enforcement officer in the early 1970s, I also dealt with prescription drug abuse, but the emphasis was not nearly as focused as it is today. We still have a way to go as we draw near to 2011.

When I was blessed enough to be selected to form and run the Cincinnati Police Department’s Pharmaceutical Diversion Squad (PDS), most of us knew very little about the crimes that constitute drug diversion. In fact, we were not sure what the words “drug diversion” meant, but we were willing to learn about and attack the problem as best as we could. I started with 4 veteran investigators, myself, and a secretary. Later, the investigative ranks would grow to 6 as the volume of cases increased. [Read more…]

Rx Abuse in Rural America

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I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Sheriff Kim Rogers of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office from rural southern Ohio. Sheriff Rogers has a big prescription drug problem in his county that is killing his residents, and he wants to do something about it. Adams County is a beautiful area of the Buckeye State, with only 27,000 residents; it also is one of the most rural counties in Ohio, about 70 miles east of Cincinnati. Adams County has had 16 overdose deaths attributed to prescription drugs since January 1, 2009.

In addition, over 60 additional overdose incidents have occurred that fortunately did not result in death. As Sheriff Rogers said, “We thought it was an alarming number.” I would certainly agree. In the spring of 2009, a collaborative task force of law enforcement, physicians, and pharmacists began to meet in the county to try and find answers to this high level of overdose deaths related to pharmaceuticals. [Read more…]

How BIG is the problem?

Year after year, state and local law enforcement statistics indicate that pharmaceuticals are almost 30% of the overall drug problem in the United States, running a close second only marijuana abuse. However, until recently, law enforcement, health care professionals, and the general public have placed little emphasis on this huge problem.

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Pharmaceutical Diversion Education (PDE) is designed to assist a wide range of the population in understanding the potential abuse and addiction that can be associated with prescription medication.

Drug Diversion:
Any Criminal Act Involving a Prescription Drug.

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