Difference between revisions of "Disrupt the Supply of Illegal Drugs"

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= Introductory Paragraph =
= Introductory Paragraph =


Key to any strategy to reduce opioid misuse is preventing illicit opioids, including heroin and synthetic opioids, from ever reaching communities. This role is almost exclusively the role and responsibility of law enforcement at both the federal and state level, and requires cooperation between jurisdictions and federal partners to ensure success.
The United States is facing an illicit drug trade contributing to thousands of deaths each year.  In 2020 over 100,000 Americans died of an overdose and the majority of those were contributed to by a synthetic opioid.  <ref>https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68838.html</ref> A key strategy to reduce opioid misuse is preventing illicit opioids, including heroin and synthetic opioids, from ever reaching communities. This is almost exclusively the role and responsibility of law enforcement at both the federal and state level, and requires cooperation between local jurisdictions and federal partners to ensure success. In addition, disrupting opioid supply, in our increasingly global and virtual society, has added a complexity to the problem that has required international collaboration and closer scrutiny over internet communications and mail delivery services.


= Key Information =
= Key Information =


<br/> In the United States, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning there is a potential for misuse and dependence, but it does have an accepted medical use and can be prescribed for restricted use. Although prescribed synthetic opioids are sometimes diverted to the illicit market, the main reason for the surge in high purity synthetic opioids are from the increase in manufacturing from clandestine labs, which are either pressed into pills or left in powder form and mixed with heroin.&nbsp;
In the United States, Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning there is a potential for misuse and dependence, but it does have an accepted medical use and can be prescribed for restricted use. Although prescribed synthetic opioids are sometimes diverted to the illicit market, the main reason for the surge in high purity synthetic opioids is the increase in manufacturing from clandestine labs. These synthetic opioids are either pressed into pills or left in powder form and mixed with heroin.


'''Law Enforcement, State, and Federal Response'''<br/> Increasing seizures of synthetic opioid-laced heroin by law enforcement, calls from politicians to increase punishment for possession and/or sale of illicit fentanyl included escalating mandatory minimum sentencing, and even capital punishment for sale of heroin. There is no evidence that escalating criminal punishment will have any effect on reducing risk of overdose or use in general. Research has suggested that these policies will fail to address the issues involving fentanyl and will continue the harmful trend of mass incarceration in the US.&nbsp;<ref>https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/are-synthetic-opioids-legal</ref>
The response to the national opioid supply dilemma generally reflects three different types of reactions which need to be de-coupled from rational, strategic, and effective responses documented in the balance of this article


Individual states and the federal government’s efforts are centered around placing individual synthetic opioids and opiate-like NPS into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).&nbsp;
* '''Over-reaction.''' Seizures of synthetic opioid-laced heroin by law enforcement have led to calls by politicians for increased punishment for possession and/or sale of illicit Fentanyl. This has included escalating mandatory minimum sentencing, and even capital punishment for sale of heroin. There is no evidence that escalating criminal punishment will have any effect on reducing risk of overdose or use in general. Research has suggested that these policies will fail to address the issues involving Fentanyl and will continue the harmful trend of mass incarceration in the US. <ref>https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/are-synthetic-opioids-legal</ref>


'''Perceived Dangers of Accidental Overdoses'''<br/> With the distribution of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can be lethal in small amounts, overdoses have been reported by law enforcement personnel as having occurred through inhalation or absorption through the skin during routine encounters.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/health/police-fentanyl-overdose-trnd/?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion]</ref>&nbsp; These instances, however, are more myth than reality,<ref> http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse</ref>&nbsp;and can lead to misplaced fear when law enforcement and emergency responders come upon a suspected overdose. Any delay in responding to an overdose could cause brain damage and even death.&nbsp;
* '''Un-informed Reactions.''' Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid that can be lethal in small amounts, and overdoses have been reported by law enforcement personnel as having occurred through inhalation or absorption through the skin during routine encounters. <ref>http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/health/police-fentanyl-overdose-trnd/?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion]</ref> However, these instances are more myth than reality, and can lead to misplaced fear when law enforcement and emergency responders come upon a suspected overdose. <ref>http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse</ref> Such fear can lead to a delay in responding to an overdose that could cause brain damage and even death.


'''National Programs<br/> <br/> ''DEA 360 Strategy<ref>http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse</ref>'''''<br/> Target Drug Trafficking Organizations<br/> In the past, the DEA has targeted low-level, first time non-violent offenders who usually are selling to get high themselves.<ref>http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse</ref>&nbsp;This new strategy will target all drug deals, but start from the top down.
* '''Inconsistent Reactions.''' Many efforts are centered around placing individual synthetic opioids and opiate-like psychoactive substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This could properly prioritize enforcement across all states and facilitate more uniform state-level responses. However, the context of variability in current actions by states is reflected in more than the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. In an examination of prosecution rates by state, it was found that possession of methamphetamine was the most commonly charged controlled substance offenses in 30 states. In 14 states, it was heroin. Cocaine possession was the most commonly charged offense in three states and the District of Columbia. Marijuana possession was the most commonly charged drug offense in 2 states. Likewise, prison terms for felony controlled substance offenses ranged widely, averaging 17 months in Arizona to 111 months in Iowa. <ref>https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/controlled-substance-laws-by-state</ref>


"These drug trafficking organizations are predators. There's no other way to describe it. They look for the vulnerable, they exploit them by finding them while they are trying to get treatment; that's how severe, how bad these drug trafficking organizations are to find their customer and peddle their poison. We're going to put together a task force and this task force is going to put together building federal cases based on these overdoses, and there is significant sentencing around and this is a way to impact straight into the organization and take out upper level members of an organization that directly impact the flow of drugs.”<ref>https://www.justice.gov/usao/file/895091/download</ref>
= Relevant Research =


-Thomas Gorman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA
'''Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking''' was established under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. It was charged with examining aspects of the synthetic opioid threat to the United States — specifically, with developing a consensus on a strategic approach to combating the illegal flow of synthetic opioids into the United States. The  final report distributed by the Rand Corporation "describes items involving the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic opioids, as well as the deficiencies in countering their production and distribution, and includes action items directed to appropriate executive branch agencies and congressional committees and leadership." <ref>https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68838.html</ref>


'''''Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force<ref>https://www.dea.gov/operations/ocdetf</ref>'''''<br/> Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCTDEF) National Heroin/Fentanyl and Opioid Initiative<br/> Since its inception in December of 2014, the ultimate goal of this initiative has been to develop multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional cases against criminal organizations. The Initiative leverages the national structure, resources and information sharing capabilities to identify the local street level distributors who are responsible for overdose deaths, as well as their network of suppliers at the local and regional level. In the last several years, OCDETF investigators and prosecutors attacked the opioid epidemic by prosecuting rogue physicians, pharmacists, internet sales, and pill mill operations. Their traditional diversion investigations involved overwriting of oxycodone by doctors, and misuse of fentanyl patches by users who clipped the edges to consume the gel inside. Today, OCTDEF funds 60 Heroin/Fentanyl and Opioid Initiatives across the country.
= Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies =


'''''Working With China to Stop Export of Controlled Substances'''''
'''Controlled Substances Act.'''
The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 includes the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which allows federal jurisdiction over specific plants, drugs, and chemical substances. It established a classification or scheduling system for drugs. <ref>https://recovery.org/addiction/us-drug-laws/</ref> See Safe Solutions article, "Reduce Criminal Diversion of Prescription Drugs." <ref>https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Reduce_Criminal_Diversion_of_Prescription_Drugs</ref>


A large number of synthetic opioids, specifically fentanyl, come to the US from China.&nbsp;<ref>https://www.statnews.com/2016/09/03/us-china-fentanyl/</ref><br/> China has agreed to crack down on the exports of substances that are controlled in the US, but not in China.<br/> The US and China will work together to exchange more law enforcement and scientific information to coordinate actions.<br/> Cooperation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the China Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and recognized China’s actions toward combating global synthetic drug trafficking.<br/> <br/> On October 1, 2015, China took an important step in international coordination by controlling a list of 116 synthetic drugs that were widely abused in the U.S.<br/> When evaluating a substance for control, the new provision also allows China to consider harm to the public in countries other than China.<br/> DEA continues to share information with Chinese officials to secure scheduling of additional fentanyl-class substances in China due to the wave of recent deaths in the United States from these synthetic opioids.&nbsp;<br/> <br/> At a time of massive growth in postal shipments from China due to e-commerce, the investigators found that the postal system received the electronic data on just over a third of all international packages, making more than 300 million packages in 2017 much harder to screen. Data in the Senate report shows no significant improvement during 2017 despite the urgency.&nbsp; The U.S. Postal Service said it has made dramatic progress in the last year in total packages with opioids seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection... implementing the use of electronic data is slowed by the need to negotiate with international partners, but the service is making progress.&nbsp;<br/> <br/> '''General Strategies'''<br/> Better Addiction Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services<br/> Improve access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services to prevent the health, social, and economic consequences associated with opioid misuse and addiction, and to enable individuals to achieve long-term recovery.<ref> https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/sites/default/files/2018-09/opioid-fivepoint-strategy-20180917-508compliant.pdf</ref>
'''Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection of Act 2008.'''
The Ryan Haight Act amended  the CSA in 2008  by adding a series of new regulatory requirements and criminal provisions designed to combat the proliferation of “rogue Internet sites” which unlawfully dispense controlled substances by means of the Internet. <ref>https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/drug_of_abuse.pdf</ref>


<br/> '''Better Data'''<br/> Strengthen public health data reporting and collection to improve the timeliness and specificity of data, and to inform a real-time public health response as the epidemic evolves.
'''International Policy Collaboration with Canada.'''
A white paper published by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada represents cooperation
between the two countries to find effective approaches to addressing the opioid overdose crisis across three working groups covering border security, health, and law enforcement. <ref> https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/sites/default/files/documents/canada-us-joint-white-paper-substance-use-harms-during-covid-19.pdf</ref>


<br/> '''Better Pain Management'''<br/> Advance the practice of pain management to enable access to high-quality, evidence-based pain care that reduces the burden of pain for individuals, families, and society while also reducing the inappropriate use of opioids and opioid-related harms.<ref> https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/sites/default/files/2018-09/opioid-fivepoint-strategy-20180917-508compliant.pdf</ref>
'''International Policy Collaboration with China.'''
A large number of synthetic opioids, specifically Fentanyl, come to the US from China. <ref>https://www.statnews.com/2016/09/03/us-china-fentanyl/</ref> Cooperation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the China Ministry of Public Security reflects China’s actions toward combating global synthetic drug trafficking. The US and China have agreed to work together to exchange more law enforcement and scientific information to coordinate actions. China has agreed to crack down on the exports of substances that are controlled in the US, but not in China. On 2015, China took an important step in international coordination by controlling a list of 116 synthetic drugs that were widely abused in the U.S. When evaluating a substance for control, the provision allows China to consider harm to the public in countries other than China. DEA continues to share information with Chinese officials to secure scheduling of additional Fentanyl-class substances in China due to the wave of recent deaths in the United States from these synthetic opioids.


'''Better Targeting of Overdose Reversing Drugs'''<br/> Target the availability and distribution of overdose-reversing medications to ensure the broad provision of these drugs to people likely to experience or respond to an overdose, with a particular focus on targeting high-risk populations.
= Available Tools and Resources =


'''Better Research'''<br/> Support cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of pain, overdose and addiction, leads to the development of new treatments, and identifies effective public health interventions to reduce opioid-related health harms.
'''SAFE Project:'''
*'''The Integrated-Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist (I-FPRS) Training''' by SAFE Project is a comprehensive set of curriculums designed for Peer Recovery Specialists, organizations, and groups working with justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorders. This training equips participants to navigate the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system.<ref>https://www.safeproject.us/ifprs-training/</ref>
*See the wiki titled "Reduce Criminal Diversion of Prescription Drugs" for more detailed information on the illegal distribution and misuse of prescription drugs, encompassing activities like selling medications, doctor shopping, and theft or forgery of prescriptions.<ref>https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Reduce_Criminal_Diversion_of_Prescription_Drugs</ref>
*See the wiki titled "Expand Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Deflection Programs" for more detailed information on diversion and deflection programs that aim to redirect individuals away from the justice system, particularly those with behavioral health needs, to reduce recidivism, address personal needs, and optimize justice system resources.<ref>https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Expand_Law_Enforcement_Assisted_Diversion_and_Deflection_Programs#Available_Tools_and_Resources</ref>
*See the wiki titled "Expand First Response and Crisis Intervention Teams" for more detailed information on expanding the implementation of innovative multidisciplinary teams (including mental health professionals, peers, EMS/Fire, etc.) to help reduce overdoses and connect individuals to community-based treatment.<ref>https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Expand_First_Response_and_Crisis_Intervention_Teams</ref>


= Relevant Research =
'''2019 National Drug Control Strategy'''
The 2019 National Drug Control Strategy from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) establishes the national initiatives and priorities to combat illicit drug use and treat people suffering from substance use disorders. <ref>https://namsdl.org/wp-content/uploads/NDCS.pdf</ref>


'''Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking'''- A Rand Report. <ref>https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68838.html</ref>
'''Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCTDEF)''' In 2014, OCTDEF launched the National Heroin/Fentanyl and Opioid Initiative and has funded over 60 initiatives across the country. <ref>https://www.dea.gov/operations/ocdetf</ref> The ultimate goal is to develop multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional cases against criminal organizations. The initiative leverages the national structure of resources and information sharing capabilities to identify the local street level distributors who are responsible for overdose deaths, as well as their network of suppliers at the local and regional level. OCDETF investigators and prosecutors attacked the opioid epidemic by prosecuting rogue physicians, pharmacists, internet sales, and pill mill operations. Their traditional diversion investigations involved overwriting of Oxycodone by doctors, and misuse of Fentanyl patches by users who clipped the edges to consume the gel inside.


"The Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, established under Section 7221 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, was charged with examining aspects of the synthetic opioid threat to the United States—specifically, with developing a consensus on a strategic approach to combating the illegal flow of synthetic opioids into the United States. This final report describes items involving the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic opioids, as well as the deficiencies in countering their production and distribution, and includes action items directed to appropriate executive branch agencies and congressional committees and leadership."
'''The Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE)''' is an FBI-led initiative created in 2018 to bring together a variety of federal agencies to disrupt illicit opioid sales online. <ref>https://www.police1.com/drug-interdiction-narcotics/articles/battling-opioid-distribution-on-the-darknet-JnHUqQil4NCxR9SV/</ref>  J-CODE combines the efforts of the FBI, USPIS, HSI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Defense, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. As many of these markets cross borders, Europol is also an invaluable international partner in J-CODE’s work to make a global impact on darknet drug trafficking." <ref>https://www.bajokalaw.com/drug-trafficking/2020/8/6/unraveling-illegal-drugs-and-the-dark-web</ref>


= Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies =
= Promising Practices =


Please list any federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations that support this topic or ones that could be a possible barrier. Are there laws or policies other states should know about and replicate for success?
'''DEA 360 Strategy''' targets drug trafficking organizations. <ref>http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse</ref> In the past, the DEA has targeted low-level, first time non-violent offenders who usually are selling to get high themselves. <ref>http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse</ref>&nbsp;This new strategy will target all drug deals, but start from the top down. "These drug trafficking organizations are predators. There's no other way to describe it. They look for the vulnerable, they exploit them by finding them while they are trying to get treatment; that's how severe, how bad these drug trafficking organizations are to find their customer and peddle their poison. We're going to put together a task force and this task force is going to put together building federal cases based on these overdoses, and there is significant sentencing around and this is a way to impact straight into the organization and take out upper level members of an organization that directly impact the flow of drugs.”
 
-Thomas Gorman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA <ref>https://www.justice.gov/usao/file/895091/download</ref>
= Available Tools and Resources =
 
Oftentimes, there are already great resources in the field that have been developed, but they are not housed in a single place. Please use this section to share information about those resources and drive the reader to that resource. It may be a worksheet, toolkit, fact sheet, framework/model, infographic, new technology, etc. I suggest no more than 5 really good links and a corresponding description for the reader. We also can use this section to highlight some of the great resources and programs at SAFE Project.
 
= Promising Practices =


Please link to any best practice models or case studies that highlight creative/innovative or successful efforts in support of this strategy. Is there a community that does a really good job in this area that other communities should replicate? Please write a brief description and provide a link.
'''U.S. Postal Service (USPS).''' At a time of massive growth in postal shipments from China due to e-commerce, investigators found that the USPS received electronic data on just over a third of all international packages, making more than 300 million packages in 2017 much harder to screen. Data in a Senate report showed no significant improvement during 2017, despite the urgency. The USPS did later succeed  in making progress, as indicated in the total packages with opioids seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, implementing the use of electronic data is slowed by the need to negotiate with international partners, and the challenges persist.


= Sources =
= Sources =

Latest revision as of 18:01, 20 October 2024

Introductory Paragraph

The United States is facing an illicit drug trade contributing to thousands of deaths each year. In 2020 over 100,000 Americans died of an overdose and the majority of those were contributed to by a synthetic opioid. [1] A key strategy to reduce opioid misuse is preventing illicit opioids, including heroin and synthetic opioids, from ever reaching communities. This is almost exclusively the role and responsibility of law enforcement at both the federal and state level, and requires cooperation between local jurisdictions and federal partners to ensure success. In addition, disrupting opioid supply, in our increasingly global and virtual society, has added a complexity to the problem that has required international collaboration and closer scrutiny over internet communications and mail delivery services.

Key Information

In the United States, Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning there is a potential for misuse and dependence, but it does have an accepted medical use and can be prescribed for restricted use. Although prescribed synthetic opioids are sometimes diverted to the illicit market, the main reason for the surge in high purity synthetic opioids is the increase in manufacturing from clandestine labs. These synthetic opioids are either pressed into pills or left in powder form and mixed with heroin.

The response to the national opioid supply dilemma generally reflects three different types of reactions which need to be de-coupled from rational, strategic, and effective responses documented in the balance of this article

  • Over-reaction. Seizures of synthetic opioid-laced heroin by law enforcement have led to calls by politicians for increased punishment for possession and/or sale of illicit Fentanyl. This has included escalating mandatory minimum sentencing, and even capital punishment for sale of heroin. There is no evidence that escalating criminal punishment will have any effect on reducing risk of overdose or use in general. Research has suggested that these policies will fail to address the issues involving Fentanyl and will continue the harmful trend of mass incarceration in the US. [2]
  • Un-informed Reactions. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid that can be lethal in small amounts, and overdoses have been reported by law enforcement personnel as having occurred through inhalation or absorption through the skin during routine encounters. [3] However, these instances are more myth than reality, and can lead to misplaced fear when law enforcement and emergency responders come upon a suspected overdose. [4] Such fear can lead to a delay in responding to an overdose that could cause brain damage and even death.
  • Inconsistent Reactions. Many efforts are centered around placing individual synthetic opioids and opiate-like psychoactive substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This could properly prioritize enforcement across all states and facilitate more uniform state-level responses. However, the context of variability in current actions by states is reflected in more than the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. In an examination of prosecution rates by state, it was found that possession of methamphetamine was the most commonly charged controlled substance offenses in 30 states. In 14 states, it was heroin. Cocaine possession was the most commonly charged offense in three states and the District of Columbia. Marijuana possession was the most commonly charged drug offense in 2 states. Likewise, prison terms for felony controlled substance offenses ranged widely, averaging 17 months in Arizona to 111 months in Iowa. [5]

Relevant Research

Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking was established under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. It was charged with examining aspects of the synthetic opioid threat to the United States — specifically, with developing a consensus on a strategic approach to combating the illegal flow of synthetic opioids into the United States. The final report distributed by the Rand Corporation "describes items involving the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic opioids, as well as the deficiencies in countering their production and distribution, and includes action items directed to appropriate executive branch agencies and congressional committees and leadership." [6]

Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies

Controlled Substances Act. The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 includes the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which allows federal jurisdiction over specific plants, drugs, and chemical substances. It established a classification or scheduling system for drugs. [7] See Safe Solutions article, "Reduce Criminal Diversion of Prescription Drugs." [8]

Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection of Act 2008. The Ryan Haight Act amended the CSA in 2008 by adding a series of new regulatory requirements and criminal provisions designed to combat the proliferation of “rogue Internet sites” which unlawfully dispense controlled substances by means of the Internet. [9]

International Policy Collaboration with Canada. A white paper published by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada represents cooperation between the two countries to find effective approaches to addressing the opioid overdose crisis across three working groups covering border security, health, and law enforcement. [10]

International Policy Collaboration with China. A large number of synthetic opioids, specifically Fentanyl, come to the US from China. [11] Cooperation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the China Ministry of Public Security reflects China’s actions toward combating global synthetic drug trafficking. The US and China have agreed to work together to exchange more law enforcement and scientific information to coordinate actions. China has agreed to crack down on the exports of substances that are controlled in the US, but not in China. On 2015, China took an important step in international coordination by controlling a list of 116 synthetic drugs that were widely abused in the U.S. When evaluating a substance for control, the provision allows China to consider harm to the public in countries other than China. DEA continues to share information with Chinese officials to secure scheduling of additional Fentanyl-class substances in China due to the wave of recent deaths in the United States from these synthetic opioids.

Available Tools and Resources

SAFE Project:

  • The Integrated-Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist (I-FPRS) Training by SAFE Project is a comprehensive set of curriculums designed for Peer Recovery Specialists, organizations, and groups working with justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorders. This training equips participants to navigate the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system.[12]
  • See the wiki titled "Reduce Criminal Diversion of Prescription Drugs" for more detailed information on the illegal distribution and misuse of prescription drugs, encompassing activities like selling medications, doctor shopping, and theft or forgery of prescriptions.[13]
  • See the wiki titled "Expand Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Deflection Programs" for more detailed information on diversion and deflection programs that aim to redirect individuals away from the justice system, particularly those with behavioral health needs, to reduce recidivism, address personal needs, and optimize justice system resources.[14]
  • See the wiki titled "Expand First Response and Crisis Intervention Teams" for more detailed information on expanding the implementation of innovative multidisciplinary teams (including mental health professionals, peers, EMS/Fire, etc.) to help reduce overdoses and connect individuals to community-based treatment.[15]

2019 National Drug Control Strategy The 2019 National Drug Control Strategy from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) establishes the national initiatives and priorities to combat illicit drug use and treat people suffering from substance use disorders. [16]

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCTDEF) In 2014, OCTDEF launched the National Heroin/Fentanyl and Opioid Initiative and has funded over 60 initiatives across the country. [17] The ultimate goal is to develop multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional cases against criminal organizations. The initiative leverages the national structure of resources and information sharing capabilities to identify the local street level distributors who are responsible for overdose deaths, as well as their network of suppliers at the local and regional level. OCDETF investigators and prosecutors attacked the opioid epidemic by prosecuting rogue physicians, pharmacists, internet sales, and pill mill operations. Their traditional diversion investigations involved overwriting of Oxycodone by doctors, and misuse of Fentanyl patches by users who clipped the edges to consume the gel inside.

The Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) is an FBI-led initiative created in 2018 to bring together a variety of federal agencies to disrupt illicit opioid sales online. [18] J-CODE combines the efforts of the FBI, USPIS, HSI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Defense, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. As many of these markets cross borders, Europol is also an invaluable international partner in J-CODE’s work to make a global impact on darknet drug trafficking." [19]

Promising Practices

DEA 360 Strategy targets drug trafficking organizations. [20] In the past, the DEA has targeted low-level, first time non-violent offenders who usually are selling to get high themselves. [21] This new strategy will target all drug deals, but start from the top down. "These drug trafficking organizations are predators. There's no other way to describe it. They look for the vulnerable, they exploit them by finding them while they are trying to get treatment; that's how severe, how bad these drug trafficking organizations are to find their customer and peddle their poison. We're going to put together a task force and this task force is going to put together building federal cases based on these overdoses, and there is significant sentencing around and this is a way to impact straight into the organization and take out upper level members of an organization that directly impact the flow of drugs.” -Thomas Gorman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA [22]

U.S. Postal Service (USPS). At a time of massive growth in postal shipments from China due to e-commerce, investigators found that the USPS received electronic data on just over a third of all international packages, making more than 300 million packages in 2017 much harder to screen. Data in a Senate report showed no significant improvement during 2017, despite the urgency. The USPS did later succeed in making progress, as indicated in the total packages with opioids seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, implementing the use of electronic data is slowed by the need to negotiate with international partners, and the challenges persist.

Sources

  1. ↑ https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68838.html
  2. ↑ https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/are-synthetic-opioids-legal
  3. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/health/police-fentanyl-overdose-trnd/?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion]
  4. ↑ http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse
  5. ↑ https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/controlled-substance-laws-by-state
  6. ↑ https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68838.html
  7. ↑ https://recovery.org/addiction/us-drug-laws/
  8. ↑ https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Reduce_Criminal_Diversion_of_Prescription_Drugs
  9. ↑ https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/drug_of_abuse.pdf
  10. ↑ https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/sites/default/files/documents/canada-us-joint-white-paper-substance-use-harms-during-covid-19.pdf
  11. ↑ https://www.statnews.com/2016/09/03/us-china-fentanyl/
  12. ↑ https://www.safeproject.us/ifprs-training/
  13. ↑ https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Reduce_Criminal_Diversion_of_Prescription_Drugs
  14. ↑ https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Expand_Law_Enforcement_Assisted_Diversion_and_Deflection_Programs#Available_Tools_and_Resources
  15. ↑ https://www.yoursafesolutions.us/wiki/Expand_First_Response_and_Crisis_Intervention_Teams
  16. ↑ https://namsdl.org/wp-content/uploads/NDCS.pdf
  17. ↑ https://www.dea.gov/operations/ocdetf
  18. ↑ https://www.police1.com/drug-interdiction-narcotics/articles/battling-opioid-distribution-on-the-darknet-JnHUqQil4NCxR9SV/
  19. ↑ https://www.bajokalaw.com/drug-trafficking/2020/8/6/unraveling-illegal-drugs-and-the-dark-web
  20. ↑ http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse
  21. ↑ http://www.wdrb.com/story/33150219/dea-announces-new-strategy-to-stop-drug-trafficking-drug-violence-and-drug-abuse
  22. ↑ https://www.justice.gov/usao/file/895091/download
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