RCFL: Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory

4/27/10—MVRCFL ASSISTS WITH PAIN CLINIC RAIDS

Prescription drug abuse is considered an epidemic in Ohio, with federal agencies joining forces with local law enforcement to combat the problem. The Miami Valley RCFL provided digital forensics assistance during several recent raids on pain clinics in southern Ohio, which has been hit particularly hard. The search warrants were served in Scioto County, which is considered one of the 10 most significant places in the country for trafficking in pain medications by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

News reports stated that once the general public learned of the raids, people began lining up on the streets, cheering the efforts of law enforcement officials. Ohio’s death rate due to unintentional drug poisoning rose 300 percent during 1999-2007, and is the leading cause of injury death in Ohio. Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) created the 40-member Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (OPDATF) to address the growing problem of abuse and trafficking, particularly in powerful painkillers. The task force brings together representatives from Ohio's legislative, law enforcement and health communities, and is charged with producing a report by May 17, 2010 containing strategies to reduce the danger of prescription drug abuse.

The MVRCFL will continue supporting the on-going investigation regarding the pain clinics in question.

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