10/2/2015 Donnie Varnell Special Agent-in-Charge North Carolina - PDF document

10/2/2015 Donnie Varnell Special Agent-in-Charge North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit 948-204-2722 dvarnell@ncdoj.gov  Describe the role of the NC SBI DECU  Define drug diversion & Identify Trends  Discuss youth drug trends  List strategies & resources used in addressing drug diversion. 1

10/2/2015  The Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit investigates diversion of drugs by licensed healthcare professionals and others involved in the healthcare registrant field.  Large scale or multi-jurisdictional prescription fraud cases.  Suspicious deaths in healthcare facilities.  Violations of state and federal statutes and regulations including: Clean Water Act, or other violations involving pollution or hazardous substances. Diverting legitimate prescription drugs for illegal purposes  DECU diversion investigations increased by: 400%  State wide diversion investigations up: 426%  Overdose deaths up: 300%  Investigations involving health care professionals: 35%  High school students who have diverted prescription drugs: 25% 2

10/2/2015 1999: 234 deaths 2000: 319 deaths 1200 2001: 397 deaths 2002: 501 deaths 1000 2003: 622 deaths 2004: 683 deaths 800 2005: 817 deaths 2006: 865 deaths 600 2007: 857 deaths 2008: 941 deaths 2009: 932 deaths 400 2010: 854 deaths 2011: 1034 deaths 200 2012: 1014 deaths 2013: 1100 deaths 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: NC State Medical Examiner’s Office Healthcare Professionals  Drug Rings & Computer Prescriptions  Overdose Homicide  Endangered Youth !!!!!!!  500,000 D.U. 250 Patients 3 Employees Doctor 3

10/2/2015 X-Ray Tech Boyfriend 18,000 15 $250,000 Accomplices D.U.  Subject provided Fentanyl to  High school cheerleader.  Guilty of 2 nd Degree Murder. 4

10/2/2015  Popular drugs  Sources of drugs (A Family Affair)  Legal & Medical Misconceptions  ED Visits  K2 & Spice Oxycodone $30 Heroin Hydrocodone $7-10 $5-15 Gateway 5

10/2/2015  Synthetic Cannabinoids are sold in retail stores, on the internet, and in “head shops” as “Herbal Incense” or “Potpourri”  Smoke alone or as a component of herbal products  Abusers report a potent cannabis-like effect American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) Reporting Calls to poison centers for human exposures to synthetic marijuana (synthetic cannabinoids)  Synthetic cathinones are sold in retail stores, on the internet, and in “head shops”, as “bath salts”, “plant food”, or “jewelry cleaner”  Users commonly report cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological symptoms that often produce aggressive behavior 6

10/2/2015 American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) Reporting Calls to poison centers for human exposures to bath salts (synthetic cathinones)  “Molly” or “Mandy” is MDMA/Ecstasy in powder or crystalline form, usually implying a higher level of purity  “Molly” can induce euphoria, a sense of intimacy with others, diminished anxiety, and mild psychedelia  “Molly” is often used in conjunction with other psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, or cannabis 7

10/2/2015  Assault:  NC GS 14-33  Communicating Threats:  NC GS 14-277.1  Training, Education & Awareness (984-204-2722)  Prescription Safe Guards • Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)  Naloxone  Take Back Programs  Partnerships! Questions? 8