Transcript North Central Opioid Addiction Task Force presentation

Enfield Youth Services
Jean Haughey, Program Director
Kevin T. Kane,
Chief State’s Attorney
North Central Opioid
Addiction Task Force
- Law Enforcement Presented by:
Francis J. Carino, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney
June 2016
A copy of this presentation
will be available at
www.francarino.com in the
“Civilian Presentation/Training
Modules” section.
The Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, along
with State and local police, is responsible for the
enforcement of the laws enacted by the Legislature
and the prosecution of those juveniles and adults
that violate those laws.
Facts
• Many people that become addicted to drugs started
out using what they thought was a “harmless” drug,
such as marijuana, or using prescribed pain
medication for a legitimate injury or pain
management.
• This casual or legitimate use then turns into a desire
to try something else or a need to self medicate
when the prescription runs out.
• Oftentimes this leads to opioid abuse or dependency.
• Your child’s friendly marijuana supplier may offer
something providing a little more “kick” than just
marijuana.
Kids & drug related issues:
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What are they using?
How are they using it?
Where are they getting it?
What are they doing after taking drugs?
What role does social media play?
Where are they hiding it?
What do the drug laws say?
What is Law Enforcement doing?
What new approaches are out there?
Kids & drug related issues:
• What are they using?
Almost 50% used marijuana by 12th grade.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Small percentage started early.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Marijuana supplier may introduce student to other drugs.
Almost 30% are using marijuana by 12th grade.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Synthetic Marijuana
The director of Day Kimball Hospital's Emergency
Department said “What we've seen in terms of reaction
to this drug has been profound.” Patients have come in
with hypertension, rapid heart beats, nausea, vomiting,
difficulty breathing and chest pains. Their vital signs can
be off the charts. Patients can be completely confused
or violent. “But someone using marijuana is typically
more sedate,” said Dr. Miro. “With synthetics, it's the
complete opposite. They're violent. They're thrashing
about. They're frightened. They don’t know what's
happening to them. It's awful to see.”
Seems like a small amount.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Small percentage have used cocaine.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Higher than heroin use?
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Increased popularity among seniors.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Seems like a small amount.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Connecticut Accidental Drug Intoxication Deaths
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
That’s a 233% increase in just four years.
In 2012 there were 357 total accidental drug intoxication deaths in the state.
By 2015 there were 729.
In just the first three months of 2016, there were 208.
Officials predict a total of 832 in 2016.
Connecticut Accidental Drug Intoxication Deaths
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
There were 416 heroin-related deaths in 2015.
110 of which included just heroin.
An additional 108 toxicology reports showed victims had died from a heroin-fentanyl mix.
106 deaths showed both heroin and cocaine in the victim’s bloodstream.
“Fentanyl is a highly dangerous synthetic opioid which can
be up to 50 times more potent than heroin. In the wrong
hands, it’s deadly. Here in Connecticut, like other parts of
the country, we are battling an escalating epidemic of
opioid abuse,” United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly .
Authorities said just 3 to 4 grains, which is a similar size to
a grain of sand or salt, can kill someone.
The street value of fentanyl is $100 a gram. There are
1,000 grams in a kilogram, so that means $100,000 per
kilogram.
Connecticut Accidental Drug Intoxication Deaths
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
In 2015, fentanyl was involved in 80 other non-heroin-related deaths–31 involved just
fentanyl, 43 showed fentanyl and cocaine in the blood stream and 23 were from a mix
of fentanyl and prescription opioids.
Connecticut Accidental Drug Intoxication Deaths
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
• By the end of 2016, it is predicted that
there will be a nearly 76% increase
in deaths related to fentanyl than in 2015.
• When compared to 2012, there’s expected
to be a whopping 2,300% increase in
deaths involving the drug.
From January 1 through March 31, there were 110 heroin-related deaths–26
involved just heroin, 39 involved a mix of heroin and fentanyl and 26 involved a mix of
heroin and cocaine. There were 47 other fentanyl-related deaths that did not involve
heroin.
Heroin overdoses could get more common as W-18
makes its way to Connecticut
MAY 9, 2016, BY JOHN CHARLTON
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An additive called W-18 is popping up in parts of New England.
It looks like heroin or fentanyl, it's a white powder,
Fentanyl is is up to 50 times more potent than heroin.
W-18 is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times
more potent than morphine.
It is similar to drugs used to tranquilize large animals like bears
and elephants.
Two fatal W-18 overdoses recently happened in Massachusetts.
Experts say it's just a matter of time until W-18 shows up here.
Dr. Craig Allen of the Rushford Center said "Fentanyl was on the
scene last year and led to a big increase in the overdose deaths,
so it's very frightening.”
The drug is currently unregulated by the DEA, despite its
dangerously high potency and recent appearances in heroin
circulating the Northeast.
Seems to be increasing at early ages.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Could lead to illegal opioid use later.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Could lead to illegal opioid use later.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Kids & drug related issues:
• How are they using it?
Reluctance to inject drugs.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Kids & drug related issues:
• Where are they getting it?
Almost 1/3 are exposed to drugs at school.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the wrong direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Kids & drug related issues:
• What are they doing after taking
drugs, other than driving?
Over 13% have gone to school under the influence.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the right direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Risky behavior after risky behavior.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Going in the wrong direction.
Source: 2015 CT School Health Survey Report
Kids & drug related issues:
• What role does social media play?
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Social media can and does:
introduce unsuspecting children and youths to
the drug culture;
glamourize the use and effects of alcohol and
drugs;
enhance the influence of pop culture idols;
give the appearance that “everyone is doing it;”
provide encouragement and instructions on the
use of drugs;
provide access to illegal substances;
direct children and youths to social events
where drugs will be available and/or used;
Kids & drug related issues:
• Where are they hiding it?
All of these items can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Kids & drug related issues:
• What do the drug laws say?
Drug Related Offenses
Possession of <1/2 oz of marijuana
and related paraphernalia
The possession of <1/2 oz of marijuana (§21a-279a)
and possession of drug paraphernalia for use with
<1/2 oz of marijuana (§21a-267(d)) are no longer
crimes. They are minor offenses but they can have
serious and far reaching consequences.
Penalty for person 18 or older is only a fine.
Penalty for juveniles 17 and under could be a
commitment to DCF for up to 18 months with
possible 18 month extension;
Possession of <½ ounce of marijuana is not “legal,” it
just won’t get you incarcerated, if you are an adult.
Motor Vehicle Consequences
Persons under 21 convicted of possession of <½
ounce of marijuana or drug paraphernalia for use
with <½ ounce of marijuana also face DMV
sanctions:
 license suspension for 60 days; or
 150 day delay to obtain license
Also, higher insurance rates are likely for a period of
time.
New drug law (PA 15-2):
Possession of any quantity of any controlled
substance, except <1/2 ounce of marijuana, is now
a class A misdemeanor. No longer a felony.
The possession of any quantity of any controlled
substance, except <1/2 ounce of marijuana, within
1500’ of a school, by a person who is not a student
at that school, or a licensed day care center is also
now a class A misdemeanor.
New drug law (PA 16-43):
• Limits the amount of opioid drugs that can be
prescribed by a practitioner (7 day supply for minor
or 1st time for adult);
• Requires consultation with minor and parent about
risks and dangers;
• Made changes to the electronic drug monitoring
program (quicker reporting & record review);
• Allows licensed health care professionals to
administer an opioid antagonist without liability;
• Requires local EMS responders be equipped with &
trained to administer an opioid antagonist;
• Prohibits insurance policies from requiring prior
authorization for use of opioid antagonist drugs;
Kids & drug related issues:
• What is Law Enforcement doing?
“Cloned” Credit Cards and Over
a Pound of Cannabis Brownies
Seized on Traffic Stop
May 9, 2016
At 12:25 AM, a Trooper observed
a Ford driving erratically, speeding and changing lanes
without signaling as it traveled on I-84 in Tolland. The
Trooper stopped the vehicle and found the operator to
be in possession of counterfeit credit cards and a
fraudulent driver’s license. Also discovered were 20
envelopes containing butane hash oil and 24 plastic foil
bags containing 1.7 pounds of medical cannabis
brownies.
Man arrested in Stratford for
having 28 lbs. of heroin in car
MAY 17, 2016, BY SAMANTHA SCHOENFELD
STRATFORD–State Police arrested
Jose Adorno for a moving violation
In Stratford. Police received a tip that there may be
narcotics in the car, so an investigation ensued and a K9
team was brought it. Eleven packages of heroin weighing
about 28 pounds and having a street value of about $1
million were found within the car. Adorno, 50, of Chicago,
Illinois, was charged with possession of over 1 kilogram of
heroin and possession of over 1 kilogram of heroin with
intent to sell. He was held on $1 million bond and will
appear in court on Wednesday.
9 arrested in Fentanyl distribution ring
NEW BRITAIN, CT (WFSB) – May 19, 2016
Nine people were arrested on federal charges in
connection with a Fentanyl distribution ring.
“We believe that this groundbreaking investigation
has identified a major supplier of fentanyl in our
state,” US Attorney for the District of Connecticut
Deirdre M. Daly said in a statement on Thursday.
Authorities started their investigation in December
2015 after learning that one suspect was selling
fentanyl powder, prescription pills and marijuana.
Through their investigation, authorities learned that
others were supplying him with fentanyl and various
prescription pills and that the Darknet was used to
buy large amounts of fentanyl from China.
• Two suspects charged with:
• Conspiracy to distribute; conspiracy to possess
with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of
fentanyl (mandatory minimum sentence of 10
years, maximum of life in prison)
• A third also charged with:
• Possession with intent to distribute and
distribution of at least 400 grams of fentanyl
• Six others charged with:
• Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with
intent to distribute controlled substances
(maximum sentence of 20 years)
Kids & drug related issues:
• What new initiatives are out there?
U.S. Attorney announces new initiative to target drug
dealers who cause overdose deaths
APRIL 13, 2016, BY LAURA ROBERTS
HARTFORD
• The U.S. Attorney, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney and Special Agent
in Charge of the D.E.A. announced a new that initiative targets
narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that
cause death or serious injury to users.
• Police responding to overdose deaths will investigate them as
crime scenes, including using time-sensitive investigative
techniques and preserving all evidence at the scene of an
overdose death.
• The DEA will then investigate the events leading up to the death
and where the drugs came from. They will also look to see if the
distributor knew the drug could cause serious injury or death.
• If it can be established that they did know, the potential charges
against that person go far behind simple narcotics distribution up
to and including manslaughter.
Task force, elementary education tools Waterbury plans
to use in heroin fight
MAY 18, 2016, BY ERIN LOGAN
• The town has set up a task force and plans to start educating young students
about the dangers of heroin and abusing prescription drugs.
• Already this year, Waterbury Police say the department has responded to 102
heroin overdoses, 17 of them fatal.
• In the past several weeks, police busted 46 alleged dealers, almost all in one
day as part of Operation Stamp Out.
• Besides police, the Mayor’s Opiod Task Force includes addicts in recovery
sharing their stories, psychiatrists and other doctors.
• Another goal of the task force is to have opioid awareness worked into the
curriculum in the fall as young as kindergarten.
• Mayor O’Leary said, “We have officers who are trained to do that and work
with our educators, so it's really going to be effective.”
• Deputy Chief Fred Spagnolo said, “As long as it's an appropriate age level, we
feel it's important and necessary to get the message out as early as possible.”
• Mayor O'Leary is extending an invite to the task force meetings to people all
over the state.
The State of Connecticut is serious
about protecting the lives of our young
people, particularly when it comes to
alcohol and drugs.
The police and the courts can’t do it all.
 Parents and kids need to educate themselves
about the law and the signs of substance
abuse;
 Parents need to supervise their kids and set a
good example;
 Kids need to act responsibly and be a good
friend;
Francis J. Carino
Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
300 Corporate Place
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Tel.: (860) 258-5826
Fax: (860) 258-5858
E-mail: [email protected]
CT Juvenile Law website: www.francarino.com