(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that his office is dedicating new personnel and funds to help fight Ohio's prescription drug abuse problem.
"As I have traveled our state, the issue of prescription drug abuse comes up whether I am in a small town, suburb or large city. To help fight this growing problem, I am dedicating staff and financial resources of the Attorney General's Office to help local prosecutors and law enforcement deal with the consequences of prescription drug abuse," Attorney General DeWine said.
DeWine announced that his office is hiring Adams County Prosecutor Aaron Haslam as co-unit coordinator of its Special Prosecutions Unit. Haslam will coordinate the office's efforts with prosecutors and local law enforcement on prescription drug abuse. The Attorney General's Office also is hiring two additional assistant attorneys general with prosecutorial experience who will specialize in prescription drug cases.
Also, the Attorney General's Office is dedicating resources to assist local law enforcement and prosecutors in tackling this issue.
To help train peace officers on the front lines, funds will go to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy to fund training for local law enforcement through regional seminars, online offerings, and free courses offered at the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI).
Funds also will be used to augment the investigative staff at BCI so they can assist local prosecutors and law enforcement.
"When I became Attorney General a month ago, I swore an oath to protect Ohio families. Today is one step in our journey to use the resources of the Ohio Attorney General's Office to fight this problem that has such devastating consequences for our families and communities," DeWine added.
Links:
Ohio must arrest prescription drug abuse: editorial — The Plain Dealer
Mike DeWine to Ohio medical board: Be more aggressive — Chillicothe Gazette
Media Contact:
Lisa Hackley: 614-644-0508