in 2017, Press
October 11, 2017 (Washington, DC) – More than 50 police officers from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia attended Code 3’s first-ever Opioid Drug Diversion Training on October 4th, 2017 at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security in Washington, DC. The training aimed to educate law enforcement personnel on the growing opioid epidemic and its impact on communities. Participants learned about the various forms of opioid abuse, including prescription drug misuse and heroin addiction. They also discussed the importance of rehab and treatment programs in combating the crisis and helping individuals overcome addiction.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including the identification of opioid drugs, signs and symptoms of opioid abuse, and effective intervention strategies. Officers were trained to recognize the symptoms of methadone overdose, which can include shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils, and loss of consciousness. The training emphasized the critical role that law enforcement plays in preventing opioid diversion and ensuring that these powerful drugs are used only for legitimate medical purposes.
Law enforcement officers included detectives and uniformed personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Washington, DC Field Office, U.S. Park Police, U.S. State’s Attorney’s Office, Metropolitan Police, Fairfax County Police, Montgomery County Police and Queen Anne’s County Police.
Facilitated by nationally recognized drug diversion expert John Burke, the eight-hour training addressed the scope of the pharmaceutical drug problem, diversion tactics for first-responders, best practices in doctor shopping investigations, and what’s in opioid rehab, including tools and resources for identifying and targeting illegal prescribers and critical safety information on the handling of fentanyl and carfentanil
“Last year, the opioid crisis killed the equivalent of four individuals each week in Washington, DC,” said Dale Sutherland, founder and president of Code 3.
About Code 3
Code 3 was founded in 2015 to foster mutual trust and collaboration among police departments and the communities they serve. With decades of experience in law enforcement and community affairs, we serve as connectors between cops and citizens, breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities to advance solutions to local challenges. For more information, visit www.code3forchange.org.