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Drug Task Force presentation set April 10 in Kresge
March 29, 2004 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—Members of the Howard County Drug Task Force will discuss signs of illicit drug usage and local law enforcement efforts against it during a free presentation Saturday, April 10, at IU Kokomo. The public is invited to attend the 10 a.m. presentation in IU Kokomo’s Kresge Auditorium. The event is sponsored by students in the Nursing Freshman Seminar course, taught by Sherri Rinehart. “The parents of any middle school-age student and up need to be aware of this information,” said Kokomo Police Lt. Greg Baldini, commander of the task force. Because of the tax dollars spent on law enforcement and social programs aimed at curbing drug abuse, the subject should be of interest to other residents and business people as well, Baldini said. Six Kokomo Police Department officers and one officer from the Howard County Sheriff’s Department make up the Howard County Drug Task Force. Currently, Baldini said, the task force directs most of its efforts to stopping the sale and use of crack cocaine, methamphetamines, and abused prescription drugs, particularly OxyContin®. Methamphetamine, also known as “crank” or “speed,” is a potent central nervous system stimulant often produced in home-based “labs” from commonly available chemicals. The fumes and chemical residue associated with methamphetamine production can be toxic. Two of the local task force officers have been specially certified to search out methamphetamine labs. OxyContin® is a powerful narcotic painkiller often prescribed to cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. When snorted or injected, the highly addictive drug produces a potentially lethal high, similar to heroin. In their hour-and-a-half presentation, Baldini and other task force officers will also touch on marijuana, heroin, the hallucinogenic ecstasy, and other substances. For more information, call (765) 455-9283.
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