|
 |
Attorney General Mike DeWine
Synthetic Drug
Training Begins
(PERRYSBURG, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that
75 law enforcement officers and prosecutors attended the first
Investigating Synthetic Drugs training course offered through the Ohio
Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).
Today's training took place this morning at Owens Community College
just outside of Toledo. Instructors include members of the
Attorney General's special prosecutions unit as well as a forensic
scientist from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Attorney General DeWine announced the creation of the training in
November as part of his intensified efforts to fight the abuse and sale
of synthetic drugs such as bath salts and herbal incense.
"Synthetic drugs are still relatively new in Ohio, so we want our
prosecutors and peace officers to have all the information they need to
successfully fight the abuse of these drugs," said Ohio Attorney
General Mike DeWine. "Synthetic drugs are just as dangerous as
heroin or cocaine, but they're disguised in packaging that we wouldn't
normally associate with something so deadly."
Synthetic drugs, which first emerged in the United States in 2008, are
often sold in bright packaging to attract the younger
demographic. They are sold under names such as "Bizarro",
"Vanilla Sky", and "Ivory Wave".
The new training program teaches law enforcement what to look for while
investigating a synthetic drug case and also provides a legal overview
designed to assist both officers and prosecutors.
The free training will be held in several locations throughout the
state in February. Law enforcement can sign up for the training
on the Ohio Attorney General's website.
|
|
|
|
