Videos and Webcasts

Geared toward first responder law enforcement, undercover narcotic, correctional, probation, parole, regulatory, and supervisory personnel, this presentation, focusing on awareness and preventative safety considerations, will cover the dangers of synthetic opioids, drug potency, counterfeit pills, counterfeit pill press devices, drug distribution methods, narcotic costs vs. profits, supply vs. demand factors, fentanyl analogs and similar synthetic substances, and much more.
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There is no denial, drugs in the workplace can be a big problem. Impaired workers can cause safety concerns and an assortment of other problems, possibly impacting the bottom line. As some attitudes change through time about the use of certain substances, there are questions about how to keep our workplaces safe and drug free.
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We hear lots about performance-enhancing drugs in sports but how much have you ever heard about drugs some people think can enhance academic performance? Your kids probably know about them and what they think could be dangerous.
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Does a mental health issue lead to substance use? Does substance abuse lead to a mental health issue?
Research has shown that treatment addressing both conditions at the same time has better outcomes with lower costs, yet it still isn’t happening nearly enough.
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Nearly two million Americans have served in military operations overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and many more veterans live and work among us. For many veterans, the transition between military and community life can be difficult.
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Here’s a video that should make teens reflect about their lives and the challenges they face. Just living through the day can sometimes be a challenge.
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Illicit drugs enter this country in numerous ways and it isn’t just across the border from Mexico or across the water from South America. Long recognized as a land of beaches and theme parks, Florida is, unfortunately, also referred to as a smuggler’s paradise.
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The abuse of prescription drugs is rampant in this country. How do people get the pills to feed their addiction? Some people simply take what is prescribed to them, others doctor shop. Many buy or steal pills from others. Can we stop the abuse?
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The push to close pill mills and reduce the painkiller supply is creating a new problem. Opiate addicts need their fix, so when they can’t easily get their pills to pop, they’re often turning to heroin.
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Addiction is a disease, but where does it come from? Why do some people become addicted to drugs after trying them just once when others don’t? It all starts with the brain.
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The corner drugstore used to be a place where people would gather for a soda and conversation while they waited to pick up their medication. Now instead of soda fountains and stools, many pharmacies have bullet-proof glass and multi-camera video monitoring systems.
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Marijuana is a polarizing topic to discuss. People are passionate about their views and often don’t want to listen to those who oppose them. This passion can sometimes lead to skewed facts about marijuana.
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When people see your coalition’s name, do they know what you do? Does your logo instantly tell people about your efforts? With all of the groups out there working to make communities safer and healthier, how do you make yours stand out?
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In the often dangerous and challenging work of narcotics detection, there is no better partner for a law enforcement officer then a specially trained canine. For many, they become partners for life.
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Coalitions and the dedicated people who work with them have far-reaching influence in their communities. Working to change laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies is frequently involved.

Policy change is often the fastest way to see population-level impacts and enhance drug-free environments for youth and families. You can make a difference at the local, state and national level.
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If you’ve been looking for a video to show teens, this is the one. It’s a drama that tackles many important issues including prescription drug use, peer pressure, violence, bullying, and social acceptance. Teens created this video for their peers. It will get them talking, and thinking.
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Numbers can be overwhelming and make your head spin. It doesn’t have to be that way. Evaluating data properly can help lead you in the right direction. We can help you become an everyday scientist and demystify data gathering.
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Every day, babies are born addicted to prescription medications. They scream and twitch as their tiny bodies withdraw from the drugs their mothers took during pregnancy. All around the country, this problem grows as the number of prescription addicts rises.
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There’s a new and ever-changing class of drugs out there and their effects are unlike anything we have ever seen. Use of designer drugs like bath salts and spice is growing rapidly, even as laws and ordinances take effect to help control their spread.
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In the years since September 11, 2001 more than 2-million U.S. troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Although most returning service men and women do not return with serious behavioral health issues, a significant proportion do return with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, traumatic brain injury, and substance use problems.
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what makes coalitions perfect vehicles for community-level change, what we need to know to be a meaningful partner of a coalition, and how we can make our coalition even more effective.
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The attitudes about marijuana are changing. Fewer 8th and 10th graders believe smoking marijuana is dangerous. These declines in the perception of harm invariably precede increases in substance use. Today, more 10th and 12th grade students smoke marijuana than cigarettes. Several states have medical marijuana laws on the books and more states are considering putting these types of initiatives on the ballot. Coalitions need the latest information in order to effectively deal with this issue.
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They have found ways to reach parents, collect unused medications, help people multitask and more. They’re the kinds of ideas that can make drug prevention a little easier. After each story aired on a program, the coalitions often received emails and phone calls asking about implementing the ideas.
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Unlike alcohol where it’s known how much in the blood causes impairment, the same can’t be said about other drugs. The waters get murkier when prescription drugs enter the mix since there are so many combinations people take. Some medicines for common ailments could cause impairment when mixed together.
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Teens worry about things that shouldn’t be on their plate; bullying, violence, and drug and alcohol use. Peers Influence Peers XVII: What We Worry About is an hour-long program that fuses documentary material with an original screenplay that addresses these potentially dangerous issues. It’s a program produced by youth for a youth audience.
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Dispelling Drug Myths (CADCA) Airs: April 28, 2011 It only takes one person to start a rumor, and then it’s off and running. Myths spread fast and soon it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. It’s important to get the facts out there and dispel the myths.
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In order to prevent drug abuse, we need to know what’s out there and what’s coming next. We know methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescription drugs are problems, but what about K2, heroin, and ecstasy? There are always new threats to learn about plus some older drugs may be making a comeback.
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Abuse of some prescription painkillers has nearly doubled since the year 2000. The misuse of other prescription medicines is also increasing. People are stealing from medicine cabinets and robbing pharmacies to get their fix. The amount of accidental overdoses is also on the rise. What can we do about it? How can we prevent it?
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It’s the ultimate goal of every parent to raise a safe, healthy, drug-free kid. For local coalitions who work at the community level, connecting with parents is a key strategy in reducing overall substance abuse rates. Many coalitions have come up with unique ways to engage and educate parents. See how their ideas could help strengthen your community and protect kids.
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Getting high doesn’t necessarily mean a trip to a drug dealer in a back alley. Many drug abusers are growing or making drugs in their homes. From pot houses to “shake ‘n bake” meth makers, the dangers of homegrown and homemade drugs are in neighborhoods everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you live or what kind of house you have. Someone growing marijuana or making methamphetamine might be right across the street.
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Anti-drug efforts involve two distinct components, prevention and treatment. Both are equally important. All too often, some people on the prevention side don’t understand what treatment involves and some on the treatment side don’t know the work that goes into prevention.
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When we see homeless people on the streets, we often wonder how did they get there? The relationship between homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders is complex and multi-dimensional. To effectively break this cyclical relationship, we must understand treatment for substance use disorders is effective and recovery is possible, but it takes work.
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Mobilizing a community behind a common cause does not happen easily. It takes work to mobilize and engage people and there are no one-size-fits all techniques. It’s more than getting people to show up at a meeting, you need to inspire them to take the next step.
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A day has 24 hours, 1440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. No matter how you look at it, there never seems be enough time in a day. Being a parent is the most difficult job in the world, and nobody teaches you how to do it. Coalitions know parents are a big part of drug prevention, but how do you reach a parent who never seems to have enough time?
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The Peers youth have produced award-winning drug and alcohol prevention programs for the past 15 years. The 2010 program, Peers Influence Peers XVI: Through Their Eyes will examine the pervasive problem of domestic and dating violence. It will look at the role drug and alcohol use plays, how the violence affects children and families, how to recognize symptoms, and what to do about it. Studies have shown alcohol and other drug use is often linked to domestic violence and child abuse.
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The college years are a time for new experiences, exploration and discovery. Unfortunately, they are also a time for experimentation, especially into the world of drugs and alcohol. The name and location of the college or university doesn’t matter, all campuses deal with these kinds of issues.
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You probably remember it, the anti-drug commercial with the frying egg and the message “this is your brain on drugs, any questions?” It was a powerful message from the 1980s.
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For those who struggle with drug abuse, a day in court does not necessarily mean a life behind bars. Drug courts are an effective way to intervene in the lives of non-violent drug addicts. The mission of drug courts is to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and related criminal activity and promote recovery through a coordinated response to offenders dependent on alcohol and other drugs.
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Research from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health has shown youth who are highly involved in religious activities are less likely to use cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs. The numbers are similar for adults.
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The boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 and are now in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and make up our country’s largest generation. Many came of age in the 1960s, an era defined by sex, drugs and rock and roll. Some carried their bad habits into adulthood, but an increasing number of people are becoming drug users as a way of dealing with feelings of grief, financial difficulties, loneliness, medical problems, or other issues.

Many younger boomers end up caring both for parents and children at the same time, making them part of the so-called “sandwich generation”. Drug use in this group impacts the very people who they care for and who love them.
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Substance abuse in the workplace can be devastating. Research has shown that employees abusing drugs function at approximately two thirds of their capacity. Businesses also pay about twice as much in medical claims and workers compensation for employees who use drugs. Imagine what a business could accomplish if all of its employees worked to their maximum potential.
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Building and maintaining a successful coalition takes an effective leader. We see all kinds of leaders who have different kinds of approaches. How should coalitions get the most from the leaders they have and cultivate the next generation? Succession planning and workforce development do not need to be intimidating. There are resources and tools available to help.
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We tell our kids to make good choices and stay drug and alcohol free, but it’s difficult when images glorifying drug use are everywhere. Whether it’s a movie depicting kids getting high for fun or a commercial showing people enjoying many beers at a backyard barbecue, the images are all over, and rarely show negative consequences. It all makes light of the problem. So how do you counter the drug culture?
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Treatment centers and halfway houses are valuable tools for success and long-term recovery. Treatment is more than just detox. Without treatment centers, halfway houses, 12-step programs and other treatment methods, addiction can be an inescapable and vicious cycle that strips away dignity and self esteem. The disease of addiction has no boundaries and without education and rehabilitation, any opportunity to build a stable life can be lost.
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As veterans return to their everyday lives, the stigma of seeking help sometimes keeps people from reaching out. Many vets also fear possible negative ramifications that could come from the military if they admit to an alcohol or other drug problem. Communities need to learn how best to help veterans deal with what they went through. Some military programs can help, but our vets need more.
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The link between drugs and potential terrorism is not a new phenomenon, and while the United States has made significant progress over the last several years to reduce the demand for and availability of illegal drugs, challenges remain both at home and abroad.

Not only is the rapid increase of illegal drugs perceived as a danger, but the proceeds from the sale of drugs provides a ready source for funding other criminal activities, including terrorism. Whether a group is committing terrorist acts, trafficking drugs or laundering money, they are all forms of organized crime.
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When it comes to preventing teen substance abuse, raising awareness of drug-related issues in the community is key. One of the best ways to do that is to get the word out through media channels, such as TV, radio, newspapers and the internet. But, how we used to do things isn’t good enough anymore. We need to twitter, blog, podcast, and utilize social norms campaigns. But as the media landscape changes, we can’t ignore television, radio, and newspapers.
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The saying goes, laughter is the best medicine and there’s truth to it. Laughter is a natural high, says Matt Bellace, PhD. He’s also a comedian and he will share is message as part of Peers Influence Peers XV: Natural Highs.
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The abuse of prescription drugs is quickly becoming an epidemic. They’re easy to get and simple to distribute. Gone are the days when people need to go to a seedy street corner to get high. Now, they just need to go to a medicine cabinet or visit the doctor.

While many communities are just beginning to figure out how to handle this legal drug problem, anti-drug groups in Tennessee have had a head start. For years, Tennessee held the unwanted distinction as the nation’s top state for prescription drug abuse. That is changing, thanks to hard work and cooperation.
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We all want to make a difference and change the world, but how realistic is that? Changing the world might be a little difficult, but you can certainly improve your neighborhood. By altering your environment, you can impact behaviors and decisions regarding substance abuse.

One approach involves environmental strategies, and we’re not talking recycling. Environmental strategies are prevention approaches that can change the environment in which substance abuse can occur. It’s more than just a one-time program, it’s changing a community. That takes work.
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Discovering that a teen is using drugs or alcohol can be a scary experience for parents – many feel alone, ashamed, guilty, and confused about what to do next. In today’s society, teens as young as 13 have often already tried drugs as powerful as cocaine or even heroin. They might tell themselves they will only try a drug once, but many teens find themselves under continual peer pressure to continue to experiment with drugs and “join the party.” The biggest consequence to casual drug use can be that it develops into a true addiction — and it can happen before they realize it. Very few addicts recognize when they have crossed the line from casual use to addiction.
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A dictionary lists the word partnership as a synonym for coalition. Anti-drug groups need to work together with law enforcement and first responders, but sometimes making that happen is difficult. There are often misconceptions and misperceptions on both sides. Law enforcement isn’t just about locking people up and without anti-drug groups, there would be nobody to lead the charge for new ordinances and laws.
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The growing problems with prescription drug abuse, as well as solutions, are discussed by health care professionals and persons charged with investigating drug diversion. And you will hear from two recovering prescription drug addicts on how easy it was to obtain the drugs.
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Hispanics and other nationalities are growing populations in the United States and unfortunately, language barriers often prevent law enforcement from performing their responsibilities safely and effectively. Not being able to understand and communicate during traffic stops and search warrants can only invite confusion and miscommunication if an officer is not familiar with a language. This growing problem can jeopardize the safety of an officer and his/her team.

Problems are acute while performing field sobriety tests (FSTs), during which an officer may not be able to properly explain the tests. In the most extreme situations, impaired motorists have been released because the police officer could not communicate with the driver. Basic knowledge of important compliance commands is crucial for officer safety in today’s society.
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Some of the biggest drug threats out there are right in your own home. While use of illicit drugs is declining, abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications is on the rise. They’re easy to get and unfortunately, simple for people to share. Any kind of prescription drug can be abused, and interactions and overdoses can be deadly.
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More than once a minute, 78 times an hour, or 1,871 times a day, someone in the United States is a victim of sexual assault. Many of those assaults are drug-facilitated.

Intoxication or being under the influence of another drug does not constitute consent and far too often, a person will wake up in an unknown place and not know what happened or only have partial memory. Investigators need to know how to recognize the signs of a drugged person who may have been sexually assaulted and know what to do next.
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If you’re a parent or teacher and suspect your child or student is experimenting with drugs, you’re not alone. A parent’s dream is not to have a child struggling with addiction. However, denying the problem is the biggest mistake a parent can make and can cost a life. In today’s society, children have access to many different harmful substances that can be addictive and damaging. Like adults, some teens use and or “experiment” with substances to escape their problems; however they don’t realize that it is not an escape but rather a deep dark hole. Other teens use substances to “fit in” with the rest of their peers. That’s why it’s crucial for parents, teachers and other adults to understand how the teenage brain works and how to identify signs of experimentation or drug abuse. Teaching a child to “just say no” is not enough. Education, communication and knowing what’s going on in today’s society is the key to saving a teenagers life.
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How are drugs transported into our country? Numerous methods of smuggling are how it begins. In order to attack the problem, it’s important to know how it enters our communities and what to do to intervene safely. Drug trafficking organizations or DTOs, are complex organizations with highly defined command-and-control structures that produce, transport, and/or distribute large quantities of one or more illicit drugs utilizing all ports of entry and transportation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard are challenged daily to eliminate the threat of drugs being smuggled into the United States. Drug smugglers from Mexico, Canada and other countries work hard at developing new ways to conceal the presence of narcotics. Drug smugglers conceal narcotics in propane tanks, engines, animals, and in food products. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have found narcotics inside children’s electronic games, cans of soup, and computer parts. Miami inspectors noticed an unusual density in cans of butter. This prompted the inspectors to x-ray the butter and found 72 kilos of cocaine concealed inside. Whenever U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard uncover one method of concealment by drug smugglers, it forces smugglers to look for alternatives. The better agencies are at detecting narcotics, the better smugglers try to get at hiding them.
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Odds are you have a street gang in your neighborhood, or close to your home. Throughout the United States, gangs are no longer confined to the large urban communities. They’re now originating and functioning in many of the smallest of towns across America. Gang members are now found to be a mixture of ALL races, cultures and ethnicities and in some cases within the same gang.

Too often we hear the phrases, “We don’t have gangs in our community” or “All we have are a bunch of wannabes.” The inference here is that since the gangs in communities didn’t originate in Los Angeles, New York or Chicago, they aren’t real gangs. Nothing could be further from the truth. If a group of youths in your community have banned together and call themselves by a particular name; if they use signs, symbols and or colors; and if they are committing various crimes and dealing drugs; they ARE a gang – regardless of what members of the community say. No one wants the stigma of having gangs and drugs. However, by denying their existence, the community is doing the gangs a favor – they are allowing them to develop, grow stronger in numbers and develop a power base.
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It’s one of the fastest growing drug trends, the abuse of prescription drugs. High schoolers are the Rx generation, one that is mistakenly thinking the misuse of prescription drugs is safe.
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We’re all trying to raise a drug-free generation and spread prevention messages effectively. To do so, we need access to many kids at once. One great place to have this kind of access is a school. But as many coalitions have found out, getting inside a school isn’t always easy. Coalitions and schools don’t always work so well together and it’s often difficult for the two sides to realize what frightens the other.

Coalitions need data to target their prevention messages and to satisfy funders. School administrators are sometimes afraid of what the data might show.
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If you thought the only drugs endangering young people are found on street corners, think again. Some of the most lethal drugs are items you probably have around your house or that they can buy at a nearby store. From nail polish remover to spray paint, there are lots of items that kids and teens turn to for that Household High. Inhalant abuse is growing. Kids think it is harmless, but they could die from just one high.

One young man learned the hard way one inhalant use can change a life forever. He’s in prison because of tragic consequences that happened when he used inhalants while behind-the-wheel of his car.
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We’ve all heard about the dangers clandestine methamphetamine labs pose to first responders and law enforcement, but what about the hazards to the children who live there? What happens to them? Whether the adults inside were making meth or just using it, the children are exposed. What responsibility does a law enforcement officer have to ensure the kids are safe? Drug use of any kind endangers these children.

Laws and ordinances are just starting to catch up with the dangers methamphetamine causes. What should a first-responder do? How can they help the kids? What dangers do they need to be aware of?
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A sting operation is designed to catch a person committing a crime. A typical sting will have a law-enforcement officer or cooperative member of the public play a role as criminal partner or potential victim and go along with a suspect’s actions to gather evidence of the suspect’s wrong-doing. Sting operations are fraught with ethical concerns over whether they constitute entrapment.

Every year, law enforcement officers conduct hundreds of sting operations to investigate complaints of bribery, extortion, narcotics smuggling, sale of alcohol and cigarettes to minors to name a few. Over the years, departmental instructions and rulings of the judiciary have laid strict ground rules for such sting operations.
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Can you imagine life without the internet and email? Computers are a great way to stay connected. While most people send pictures and emails and chat in online social networking groups to make friends, some non law-abiding citizens use these methods to plot their next illegal activity. Some even use the internet to brag about their recent crimes.

The fact that many gang members, drug dealers, and other criminals post to online networking groups is a great thing for law enforcement. Officers have seen people posing with guns and dope and telling all about their exploits, thinking nobody will notice. Their postings become electronic tattletales.
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Cocaine was the status drug of the 1980s and then crack became the drug epidemic of the 1990s. Cocaine and crack are still out there, causing damage to the people already using and tempting those who aren’t.

It almost seems some people have forgotten about the dangers of cocaine and are trying it for fun. Powder cocaine is quickly becoming the glamour drug of choice again. Crack cocaine is still ravaging communities, with no end to the cycle in sight.

Hear how one young man’s cocaine use brought his family to the edge, and how they’re using their experience to help other families.
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For those in the grip of drug abuse and the disease of addiction, their drug controls them, not the other way around. Drug abuse involves the repeated and excessive use of a large variety of drugs and substances to produce pleasure or escape reality – despite its destructive effects. Unfortunately, substance abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own symptoms of dependence and addiction. The psychological, physical and social consequences of drug abuse and dependence are often worse than the original problem the user is trying to cope with or avoid.

There are several telltale signs of possible drug use and abuse in teenagers. “Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & Effects,” an hour-long broadcast, explores the steps and depths of addiction through the eyes of addicts and the families they often destroy. Current and recovering addicts share their experiences, in hopes of helping others.
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A big part of a good drug investigation is knowing how to identify behavior and conduct in various locations that could signal drug activity. It’s all about separating the ordinary from the events and actions that are out of the ordinary. That’s what interdiction is all about.

It used to be all about drugs as far as interdiction is concerned, now interdiction officers are looking for more, including possible terrorists. With limited budgets and time for training, officers often have to do more with less, and still see results.

In order for any interdiction program to be successful, it takes true teamwork. From the officers, to business leaders, to the workers interacting with customers, people need to be aware of their surroundings and someone needs to show them how to do that.
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Do You Know what Skittling Is? How About Tussing? Chances Are, One In Every 10 Teenagers Does. Recent research shows that while parents are aware of warnings against the dangers of illicit street drugs, both prescription medicine and over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines are often overlooked as a potential threat. An estimated one in 10 people, aged 12 to 17, or 2.4 million kids, have intentionally abused cough medicine to get high.

Cold and cough medicines are available in any drug store and are safe and effective when used properly and responsibly. Only 45 percent of teens believe that abusing cough medicine to get high is risky, which means that more than half believe it is not. But taking large quantities of over-the-counter medicines containing dextromethorphan or DXM can produce a hallucinogenic, dissociative and dangerous high. It’s an alarming teen trend you need to know about. It’s time for a dose of prevention.
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Drugs cause people to do strange things. While some drugs make people feel mellow, others lead to hyperactivity and everything in between. Sometimes people act “drunk” but there is no alcohol in their system, signaling that other drugs might be the cause. Usage of multiple types of drugs mixes the symptoms, making things even more difficult. What’s a first responder, new law enforcement officer, parent, teacher, or concerned citizen to do when encountering someone who is exhibiting strange behaviors that you just can’t figure out?
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There are many issues that our youth face everyday: stress from school, parents, and friends and the stress of finding out who they are and who they will be. All too often, the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and prescription drugs becomes an unhealthy haven for many. During this hour-long program, we asked youth in New York and South Carolina to share their concerns about life and why things often happen the way they do. These revealing youth interviews provide viewers with an insight into what youth think and need, no matter where they live.
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What did we do before computers? How did we communicate? Pay our bills? Look at vacation photos? Drug dealers are using technology to do these things and more. Computers and related equipment can provide all sorts of information that can help you make your case, if you know what you’re looking for and how to process it.
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All of us have stress in our lives, but stress means different things to different people and causes all sorts of reactions. Some of us can handle things internally, while others look for something to make them feel better, often drugs and alcohol.
Scientific research has shown a strong link between stress and substance abuse. It’s also one of the most powerful triggers for relapse, even after long periods in recovery. There are also links between substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
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You’d think everyone would know how dangerous methamphetamine is and how toxic the labs are, but not everyone does. In the heat of the moment, some people make some very bad decisions, putting their lives and health at risk.

We hear horror stories about booby traps, big fires, and violent suspects, but those aren’t the only dangers. In fact, you’re more likely to come in contact with dangerous chemicals and vapors, and that contact can harm you. The harm might not come immediately, but sometime down the road.
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The American Heritage Dictionary defines addiction as a “compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance.” That’s the official definition. Society has a much broader way of talking about addiction and addictive behaviors. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) points to research that has come to define addiction as “a chronic disease, for many people a recurring disease, characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug use that results from the prolonged effects of drugs on the brain.”

Research in both animal and human studies has demonstrated that chronic drug use changes the brain in fundamental ways that persist long after the drug use has stopped. But what makes an addiction take hold? Are some people more prone to an addiction than others? What are some of the most effective treatments? HBO, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NIDA, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, is produced a multi-platform campaign to educate America about advancements in understanding of drug and alcohol addiction and its treatment as a brain disease. The centerpiece is a documentary which aired March 15, 2007.
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Have you ever wondered what happens to that drug evidence you collect at the scene? You send it to the lab, but what happens then? Why do you have to seal it like you do? Why does your crack cocaine submission lose more than 50% of its weight between the time of collection and the laboratory analysis? How does the lab determine it is even cocaine? What does the lab do with the evidence? How do they protect its integrity? When it appears in front of you in court, why doesn’t it look the same as when you found it?
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Prescription Drug Abuse is a growing trend and those medications have to come from somewhere. Addicts will do just about anything to get their pills, from stealing from medicine cabinets to writing their own prescriptions.

Drug diverters put in a lot of effort to come up with their schemes. Stopping them can take a lot of time, but it’s easier if law enforcement knows what to look for. We’ll break down the crime of drug diversion.
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Children are our future, and we need to keep them off drugs. Some teens naturally want to get involved in anti-drug efforts, but others think it is someone else’s problem. During this hour-long broadcast, co-hosted by a high school senior, hear from teens themselves about how they get their peers involved in their anti-drug work. See videos they produced for their friends. Hear what they do in school. Learn how to spread their work to your area.

Two coalition leaders who have worked with young people in their groups for years will share their experiences so you can learn how to better involve youth in your anti-drug efforts.
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It’s part of the American Dream: to live in a nice house in a safe neighborhood. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Drugs of all kinds have made their way into almost all neighborhoods, impacting all socio-economic levels.

Strategies exist to help neighborhoods of all types deal with these situations. During this hour-long broadcast, see how community policing works in neighborhoods and how coalitions can help with the process. Learn some basics about gangs and gang activity, since many drug-related crimes are directly linked to gangs.
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For officers of the law, knowledge of the law itself is a key to making a good drug case. Without it, you could have the best of intentions, but a technicality could throw it all out the window, and the dope dealer could go free.
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Computers seem to have taken over many aspects of our lives. We rely on them to do dozens of everyday tasks… think of what life would be like without them! Those involved in the drug trade also use computers. A click of the mouse is all it takes these days to buy drugs on the Internet, get information about particular drugs, or commit identity theft.

No one is immune from becoming a victim. Identity theft is spreading as fast as a computer virus — and infecting our lives with a whole new breed of crime. To fund their drug habits, users are stealing identities and ruining lives. As methamphetamine moves across the country, identity theft related to it also spreads. Since their energy levels are high, meth users are perfect for the tedious work related to identity theft. Law enforcement needs to learn how to fight this new type of high-tech, drug-related crime.

And that’s not the only drug crime seeping into cyberspace. Illegal pharmacies are popping up all over the place, offering all types of prescription drugs… just check your email inbox. It’s a never-ending battle to get rid of these things; as the DEA takes one down, another appears. Find out how to tell the difference between a legit pharmacy and a rogue operation, and how you can help fight the problem.
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It’s an epidemic… spreading across the country from west to east. If it isn’t in your community yet, it will be. Methamphetamine kills people every day and knows no boundaries. Coalitions and concerned citizens everywhere can play a part in slowing down this plague.

During this hour-long broadcast, we’ll hear from law enforcement about the realities of fighting a drug that is “homegrown” — made using over-the-counter cold medicines and household chemicals. The drug is dangerous and so are those who make it. If you come across a lab by accident, the results could be catastrophic. Find out the signs of meth use and meth production so you can help take back your community from this ravaging drug epidemic.
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Winning is everything to some athletes, and they’ll do anything they can to make it happen… even take illegal drugs. Steroids have become a hot topic recently, from professional athletes down to little kids in recreational leagues. Congress has tackled the issue and many athletes and others are clamoring for more of a response. But it isn’t just athletes who use steroids; some men and women take them to sculpt their bodies.

Everyone who takes steroids ignores the dangers associated with them. There are the physical changes, like acne, hair loss, and increased cancer risk, but there are also emotional problems that can be deadly.
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The letter “M” is the 13th letter in the alphabet. The number 13 is superstitiously known as a number to be feared. Pretty fitting, considering the MS-13 Gang is now the most feared gang in all of America. Its violence is wreaking havoc on a growing number of cities and small communities across the country – making the MS-13 Gang “a terrorist organization right in our own backyard,” according Detroit Police Sgt. Harold Rochon, an expert trainer on gangs and the author of a book titled, “Terrorists in Designer Jeans.”
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Ice, Speed, Go Fast, Crank, Crystal, Yaba — no matter what you call it,
methamphetamine is the fastest-growing illegal drug craze our nation’s
ever seen. It’s catching law enforcement and communities off guard, and
those fighting it are having a hard time keeping up with the battle to
eradicate this epidemic. The folks in Bay County, FL, will tell you all about
it in this one-hour training documentary, because when meth hit Florida,
this poison was first peddled in the Panhandle.

But there was a new sheriff in town, armed and ready to launch a
pre-emptive strike on meth and chase it out of his jurisdiction.

“The day we announced that we were creating our meth unit, we worked
our first meth lab. From that point on, it went crazy!” recalls Bay County
Sheriff Frank McKeithan, who created MAD (Methamphetamine
Drug Unit) — a team of deputies assigned to fight meth and only meth 24/7.

“What concerns me the most is the availability of this drug and the fact that
someone can leave their home, go to a local store or Wal-Mart and buy
the materials to make meth with,” Sheriff McKeithan says. “It’s just
unbelievable that they can do that. It’s the only drug in America where
they can run down to Wal-Mart with their shopping list filled and go home
and make meth. The secret to winning this battle or war on meth is to have
the right battle plan,” he proclaims.

“The potential for harm to police officers and communities goes up
greatly because of illegal methamphetamine production,” says
Sheldon Burkett, a Special Supervisory Agent and clandestine
methamphetamine expert with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“The chemicals used to make meth need to be handled differently than drugs
such as cocaine, heroin or marijuana would be treated, because it is
hazardous waste.”
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Fact: When a suspect is on the run, a K-9 will find him 93% of the time. But a law enforcement officer’s rate of accuracy is only 59% of the time. That’s why K-9s are so valuable in police work.
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Pot, pop, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, chronic, reefer, Aunt Mary, skunk, boom, gangster, kif, ganja, Texas tea, Maui wowie, bud, dope, indo, hyrdo… just some of the street names for marijuana, the most frequently-used illegal drug in the United States. Millions of people try it for the first time each year and most of them don’t know the risks.

Despite what you may think, marijuana is far from harmless. Even though it often looks fun and relaxing, it has permanent health effects, impairs driving, and kills motivation.
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From the tip to the surveillance, the raid, arrest and the trial: Every step you take can make or break your drug case in a court of law. After watching this two-hour broadcast, you’ll know how to build a winning drug case… and put the bad guys behind bars.
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Just as sword-wielding, rebel pirates used to try ruling the seas and invading new lands ashore long ago, gangs have been evolving and infiltrating every state in America, carving out territories to rule, terrorizing each other, and, worst of all, catching law-abiding citizens and law enforcement officers in their crossfire. Their mission: Steal and stockpile weapons, property, money and drugs. They take to the streets and take innocent lives with them in their quest for power.
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That old saying “actions speak louder than words” speaks volumes about what this one-hour training telecast has to offer about detecting deception. By learning how to read a person’s body language and facial expressions, you will gain new insight about what a person is actually saying and, most importantly, what he or she is NOT saying.

We’re human, and we can’t control some of our emotions. That’s a really good thing when you’re trying to figure out if someone is telling the truth. Our bodies give us away. Learn how body language, eye assessing movements, and our nervous system speak for us. Viewers will also learn how to be a good listener and what types of questions work best for certain situations.
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When America entered the new millennium, it entered a new era in the world of drug abuse. From the streets of the cities to secluded family homes in the suburbs, prescription drug abuse is a problem that’s spilling out of pill bottles and into the lives of millions all across our country.
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Did you know that when a K-9 is tracking a suspect, the dog will find the bad guy 93% of the time? The same study says a law enforcement officer alone will only find the suspect 59% of the time. Put the two together, and you have a great team.
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If you were to encounter a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, would you know what to do? Without proper training, you are putting your life and the lives of your fellow officers and co-workers in jeopardy! According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a large portion of the illegal meth available in the U.S. is produced domestically in clan laboratories.

The number of labs and dump sites has increased dramatically in recent years. In fact, it’s reached epidemic proportions in several states. The chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine are highly toxic and highly volatile. Those who are not properly trained to identify and handle the chemicals and equipment used to produce meth are putting their lives on the line.
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GHB is classified as a sedative-hypnotic and/or a central nervous system depressant. It produces euphoria, intoxication and hallucinations with alcohol like effects. Because it produces such a rapid progression from drowsiness to sleep, it is often used as a “date-rape” drug.
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On a daily basis, law enforcement officers can find themselves in situations where a language barrier could cause a situation to escalate and get out of control. MCTFT now offers videos to help bridge the gap and empower officers. The videos use realistic scenarios to teach basic Spanish compliance commands that officers can use in a variety of situations.
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