november 29, 2010 (cashman)

Prescription drug diversion, Prescription drug diversion, abuse and distribution…abuse and distribution…

Maine’s very own epidemicMaine’s very own epidemic

Who in the world is “MDEA”?Who in the world is “MDEA”? Maine’s statewide drug task force. Maine’s statewide drug task force. Investigate domestic, interstate and international Investigate domestic, interstate and international

drug offenses.drug offenses. All agents are assigned by local, county and state All agents are assigned by local, county and state

agencies to one of MDEA’s 8 district task forces.agencies to one of MDEA’s 8 district task forces.

Classes of Prescription DrugsClasses of Prescription Drugs

OpioidsOpioids Treatment of painTreatment of pain

CNS depressants CNS depressants Treatment for anxiety and sleep disordersTreatment for anxiety and sleep disorders

StimulantsStimulants Treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity Treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD), Narcolepsy and obesitydisorder (ADHD), Narcolepsy and obesity

Most Commonly AbusedMost Commonly Abused MethadoneMethadone SuboxoneSuboxone OxycodoneOxycodone

OxyContin / Tylox / OxyContin / Tylox / PercocetPercocet

PropoxyphenePropoxyphene Darvon / DarvocetDarvon / Darvocet

HydrocodoneHydrocodone VicodinVicodin

HydromorphoneHydromorphone DilaudidDilaudid

MDEA StatisticsMDEA Statistics 2005: 5,853 pills with 167 arrests (27%)2005: 5,853 pills with 167 arrests (27%)

2006: 6,258 pills with 148 arrests (26%)2006: 6,258 pills with 148 arrests (26%)

2007: 8,605 pills with 149 arrests (25%)2007: 8,605 pills with 149 arrests (25%)

2008: 10,605 pills with 259 arrests (39%)2008: 10,605 pills with 259 arrests (39%)

2009: 21,661 pills with 351 arrests (42%)2009: 21,661 pills with 351 arrests (42%)

YTD 2010: 34,603 pills with 294 arrests (43%)YTD 2010: 34,603 pills with 294 arrests (43%)

Hardest HitHardest Hit

Problem took root in the mid 1990’s in Down Problem took root in the mid 1990’s in Down East Maine – specifically Washington CountyEast Maine – specifically Washington County

Migrated first into Aroostook County and has Migrated first into Aroostook County and has progressively worked south from there to have progressively worked south from there to have a significant impact throughout Mainea significant impact throughout Maine

Methods of ingestionMethods of ingestion

Crush and snortCrush and snort Dilute and inject intravenouslyDilute and inject intravenously SmokeSmoke

How it gets to the street…How it gets to the street…

Pharmacy DiversionPharmacy Diversion Internet sales Internet sales Doctor ShoppingDoctor Shopping Southern New EnglandSouthern New England Maine/Canada BorderMaine/Canada Border * Florida “pain clinics* Florida “pain clinics””

HeadlinesHeadlines

Pain-clinic crackdown gains tractionPain-clinic crackdown gains traction

October 26, 2010 12:05 AMOctober 26, 2010 12:05 AM DAYTONA BEACH -- As tough South DAYTONA BEACH -- As tough South

Florida laws push more pain-management Florida laws push more pain-management clinics into this part of the state, a clinics into this part of the state, a governmental advisory group is beginning a governmental advisory group is beginning a movement to get Volusia County's cities to movement to get Volusia County's cities to toughen local laws so the clinics don't get out toughen local laws so the clinics don't get out of control here.of control here.

More HeadlinesMore Headlines

Physician with Jacksonville clinic sentenced to Physician with Jacksonville clinic sentenced to 9 years over prescription drugs 9 years over prescription drugs

Prosecutors lay out case against brothers who Prosecutors lay out case against brothers who run cash-only pain clinicsrun cash-only pain clinics

Florida's New Pill Mill Law Now In EffectFlorida's New Pill Mill Law Now In Effect

OxyContin PricesOxyContin Prices

StrengthStrength Street PriceStreet Price

20 mg20 mg $30$30

40 mg40 mg $50 - $60$50 - $60

80 mg80 mg $100 to $120$100 to $120

Maine LawMaine Law

Acquiring by deception (1108 and Title 32)Acquiring by deception (1108 and Title 32) Stealing drugsStealing drugs Possession (felony for some)Possession (felony for some) FurnishingFurnishing TraffickingTrafficking Aggravated TraffickingAggravated Trafficking

DRUG ENDANGERED DRUG ENDANGERED CHILDRENCHILDREN

DHHS REFERRALSDHHS REFERRALS

MDEA Agents are making referrals to MDEA Agents are making referrals to DHHS child protective services at least DHHS child protective services at least once per week, on average.once per week, on average.

Safety of childrenSafety of children Neglect and abuse are far too Neglect and abuse are far too

commoncommon

InitiativesInitiatives

Communication and collaboration with Communication and collaboration with prevention groupsprevention groups

Cost sharing for prevention / educationCost sharing for prevention / education Communication with providersCommunication with providers Public Health and Public Safety InitiativePublic Health and Public Safety Initiative

Congressional funding for 2 yearsCongressional funding for 2 years Integration and communicationIntegration and communication

Mail Back - Program ModelMail Back - Program Model

Program Participants

Secure delivery to Maine Drug Enforcement Agency

Envelopes received, logged, catalogued and destroyed under MDEA custody

Program successProgram success

20,000 mailers available through statewide 20,000 mailers available through statewide network of participating pharmacies and network of participating pharmacies and partnering sites (approx. 150 sites)partnering sites (approx. 150 sites)

Program open to individuals of all agesProgram open to individuals of all ages Funding in place through 2011Funding in place through 2011 No expansion or new sites at this point in timeNo expansion or new sites at this point in time >9,500 mailers and 4,500 pounds collected >9,500 mailers and 4,500 pounds collected

YTD since October 2009.YTD since October 2009.

National Drug Take BackNational Drug Take Back

  StateState                                                         Pounds Pounds                       Connecticut                     5050Connecticut                     5050 Massachusetts                 8550Massachusetts                 8550 Maine                              7820Maine                              7820 New Hampshire              2479New Hampshire              2479 Rhode Island                     784Rhode Island                     784 Vermont                          1127Vermont                          1127 Totals                           25,810   Totals                           25,810                                            

Community Community

Change in attitude regarding prescription Change in attitude regarding prescription drugs vs. illicit drugsdrugs vs. illicit drugs

Provider peer pressure and support Provider peer pressure and support