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Law Enforcement Officers Receive Training On Pharmaceutical Drugs
May 16, 2003

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is proud to support a series of one-day training on pharmaceutical drug diversion for law enforcement officers across the State of Florida. The purpose of the training programs is to bring together local, state and federal law enforcement personnel and investigators to educate them about the abuse and diversion of pharmaceutical drugs.

FDLE, the Broward Sheriffs Office, and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) have been working in partnership with the Attorney Generals Office and Purdue Pharma L.P to coordinate this training at five sites for nearly 1000 police officers. These trainings are being funded through an agreement between Purdue Pharma L.P and the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

The first training was held on March 26, 2003 in Ft. Lauderdale and was attended by more than 200 law enforcement officers, investigators, loss prevention managers, prosecutors and analysts from South Florida agencies. The remainder of the trainings will be held this week at the following locations:

May 19th, Panama City
May 20th, Gainesville
May 22nd, St. Petersburg
May 23rd, Orlando

Pharmaceutical drug diversion is a growing problem in both Florida and nationwide. The drug-related deaths in Florida associated with prescription drugs outnumber those deaths associated with illicit drugs. Drug abuse surveys estimate that more than four million individuals across the United States use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes, while a combined estimate of 2.4 million people abuse cocaine and heroin.

Florida law enforcement officers are increasingly encountering situations involving pharmaceutical drugs use and abuse. The illegal diversion of pharmaceutical drugs in Florida results in significant costs in terms of lives, increased crime, human misery from addiction and substantial costs connected to treatment, as well as Medicaid fraud. Traditional drug investigation techniques often leave officers ill prepared to handle prescription fraud investigations or cases involving health care practitioners, such as doctors and pharmacists. These trainings will provide the necessary investigative tools to address the fastest growing substance abuse problem in the United States.

Florida law enforcement agencies need to recognize the scope and magnitude of prescription drug diversion, FDLE Commissioner Tim Moore said. While Floridians need to fight the growing abuse of prescription drugs proactively through education and awareness, law enforcement must equip themselves with the unique set of skills and knowledge necessary to handle pharmaceutical drug diversion investigations.

There will be media availability and photo opportunity from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (EST) at each location. The media will have an opportunity to interview several of the participating partners.

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