SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE Michael Robertson Acting Prosecutor Timothy Fitzgerald Acting Chief of Detectives   SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE CURRENT DRUG TRENDS IN SOMERSET COUNTY SERGEANT ROBERT K. ORRO SERGEANT DAVID WHIPPLE 1 1

OBJECTIVES Statistical overview of Somerset County narcotics activity Familiarization with current drug trends Identify behaviors associated with drug use Identify drug paraphernalia

It important for the Prosecutor’s office to collect data and look at trends to see what is increasing/decreasing. The overall goal is to arrest criminals and apprehend them to reduce/eliminate drug related deaths.

Criminal Acts Associated with Drug Subculture Aggravated Assault or Assault Robbery Burglary Homicide Drug Trafficking

Parental drug dealing/use and its impact on kids Child abuse/neglect Family impact Drug trafficking often utilizes children/teens

Heroin What does heroin look like? Packaging How is heroin ingested? Intranasal Intravenous What is heroin paraphernalia for user? Heroin Kit

Heroin What is the heroin paraphernalia used by heroin dealers? Wax folds, Stamps, cutting agent, mask, spoons Types of heroin dealers? Street dealer Supplier Tester Hot Shots

Heroin What are some street terms? What are the effects of heroin? Euphoria Length of high What are potential risks? Addiction Overdose/Death Secondary issues: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, other medical issues Legal, vocational, educational

Prescription Medications

Prescription Medications

Prescription Medications What is the difference between opiate and opioid? Opiate natural/Opioid is manufactured Why is it a problem now? In 80’s opioids were prescribed easily to manage pain ST and LT with little thought to addiction Who abuses Prescription Pills?

Prescription Medications What we know now is that it’s not always the best pain manager PDMP-Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs – physicians have access to a database used by pharmacies to record how frequent a person is filling a prescription to help prevent abuse/dependence

Prescription Medications They specifically look for “deadly” combinations (opioids/opiates + Suboxone +benzos (Xanax)) How are people obtaining Prescription Medication? Prescription from a doctor Street dealers Online/illegally

Prescription Medications Types of Prescription Medication being seized Oxcodone Benzos Suboxone Methods of Ingestion Snorting vs Oral Who is abusing prescription pills?

Cocaine What does Cocaine and Crack Cocaine look like? How is Cocaine and Crack Cocaine packaged? Small knot bags/Small zip-lock bags Cutting agent/mask/spoons How is powder Cocaine used? Snorted Intravenous

Cocaine How is Crack Cocaine used? Smoking device/Paraphernalia Making powder Cocaine to Crack Cocaine What are the effects? Length of high What are the potential risks?

Molly/Ecstasy What is Molly and Ecstasy? MDMA Ecstasy-Pill Molly-rock crystal/tannish powder Methods of ingestion of Molly and Ecstasy What are the effects? Length of high What are the potential risks?

Methamphetamine What is Methamphetamine? How is it Packaged? Methods of ingestion What are the effects? Length of high What are the potential risks?

Anabolic Steroids What are Anabolic Steroids? How are Anabolic Steroids packaged? Vials Paraphernalia Hypodermic needle What are the effects? Increase testosterone/muscle mass What are the potential risks? Order on the internet/Mail delivery

Synthetic Marijuana What is Synthetic Marijuana? How is it Packaged? What is the method of ingestion? Smoking How is Synthetic Marijuana distributed? Stores/Bodegas/Gas stations

Synthetic Marijuana Where do Synthetic Marijuana distributors obtain Synthetic Marijuana? New York What are the effects of Synthetic Marijuana? Short/Intense high Withdraw What are the potential risks?

Marijuana Packaging of Marijuana Method of ingestion Smoking/edible Paraphernalia Blunts/rolling paper/bongs Forms of Marijuana Vegetation Candy Baked good Vapor

Marijuana Profit of Marijuana dealers Public Perception What are the effects of marijuana? What are the potential risks?