Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2002
Source: Andalusia Star-News (AL)
Copyright: 2002 The Andalusia Star-News
Contact:  http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1123
Author: Michael Willard

RFPD DISPOSES OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL

The River Falls Police Department had a get together Wednesday that
included drugs and alcohol, but RFPD officers weren't getting drunk or
high.

As part of a semi-regular routine, Police Chief Jeff Holland disposed
of alcohol and drugs which RFPD has confiscated during recent arrests
and seizures.

"All this was confiscated during the past couple of years," Holland
said as he looked over a pile of more than three cases of beer,
several pints of liquor and a large box containing a variety of drugs
and drug paraphernalia. "Whenever our evidence locker gets full, I do
this."

Holland said that the evidence, both the drugs and the alcohol, are
from cases that have already been tried in court, so there is no need
to continue to hold on to the substances.

Starting with a box full of drugs that included marijuana, crack
cocaine, crank, powder cocaine and drug paraphernalia, Holland quickly
disposed of the illegal substances with a book of matches and a little
bit of lighter fluid. In no time the toxic combination of various
drugs turned into a pile of smoking ashes, and as the drugs were
burning, Holland made sure to stay away from the noxious fumes.

Likewise, Holland turned a pile of alcohol-filled containers into a
collection of empty cans and bottles atop a liquor-soaked ground.

While the Thursday events allowed Holland to clean out the RFPD
evidence locker and ensured no area residents would fall prey to the
dangers of drugs and alcohol, he said the exercise also serves another
purpose.

"This let's people see what happens to drugs and alcohol after they
are confiscated," he said, adding the substances are being disposed of
properly. "This stuff is not being used or resold by the police."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake