Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2014
Source: Times-Gazette, The (Hillsboro, OH)
Copyright: 2014 The Hillsboro Times-Gazette
Contact:  http://www.timesgazette.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4368
Author: David Wright

COLLINS PART OF SUMMIT ON DRUG FIGHT

Legislative Committee Discusses Drugs From A Law Enforcement
Perspective

WILMINGTON - Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins joined a mix of
state representatives, public officials and local law enforcement
gathered in Wilmington City Council chambers Tuesday to discuss the
state's drug abuse pandemic - and, in particular, heroin.

A legislative study committee kicked off the start of a four-hearing
series scheduled for various locations across Ohio in Wilmington Tuesday.

The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing Ohio's drug
problem from a law enforcement perspective.

Chaired by State Rep. Dorothy Pelanda, R-Marysville, several witnesses
gave presentations to a board of state representatives, including
State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville.

Collins spoke about pregnant mothers using heroin, and the effect it
has on newborns and families.

Collins said she prosecuted eight women who used heroin during
pregnancy on charges of corruption of a minor, going on to say that
the babies showed signs of withdrawal within 90 hours of their birth.

"Babies are being harmed," she said.

Collins said she spoke with one woman who admitted to using heroin two
times a day during pregnancy, and even two days before giving birth.

Upcoming legislation on narcotics and pregnancy was discussed -
mainly, making selling narcotics to a pregnant woman carry the same
penalty as selling drugs in a school zone, and, in turn, bringing the
charge from a fifth-degree felony to a first-degree felony.

Collins said one out of the eight prosecuted pregnant women went to
jail, with two presumably going back to drug use after birth.

"They had no reason to get clean," Collins said, noting that the
babies were taken in by family or friends. "But the rest of the women
were reunited successfully later on."

Chief Det. Josh Riley, of the Wilmington Police Department, spoke on
behalf of Det. Scott Baker, who contributed to the investigation of
the Marlena Park Gang, a far-reaching drug ring with connections in
Dayton and Columbus that was busted earlier this year leading to 72
arrests.

Riley expressed his concerns about the jail sentences and prison terms
of those involved in the distribution of narcotics.

"It's killing people," he said, "but the ones that are selling are
spending the minimum amount of time in prison."

Riley spoke of convicted drug dealers requesting to be sent to the
STAR Community Justice Program - a program designed to modify behavior
and decision making for the better - just to get out of a prison sentence.

"They're manipulating the system," he said.

Riley said some of the problems encountered in court have to do with
definitions, the anonymity of higher level dealers and even the types
of charges the criminals receive.

Riley stressed the importance of helping addicts as much as pursuing
dealers - but, he continued, sometimes the two are one and the same.

"Some low-level dealers are also users," he said, adding that
low-level dealers often sell drugs in order to support their own habit.

Clinton County Common Pleas Court Judge John W. "Tim" Rudduck spoke to
the board, saying the war on drugs shouldn't be viewed as a war at
all.

"I view it more as a prescription for recovery," Rudduck said. "It's
never over. Drugs will always be in our lives. And there will always
be those who abuse them."

Rudduck announced the forming of a steering committee composed of
several community volunteers with the goal of preparing an application
to the Ohio Supreme Court in order to form a specialized drug court
docket within Clinton County Common Pleas Court.

Rudduck said he was "very optimistic" on the matter, going on to say
that simply having a drug forum was a step in the right direction.

"This is a very exciting time in our community," he said. 
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