U.S. Attorney, DEA And Lexington, Kentucky Police Announce New Partnership In Fight Against Opiate Epidemic
LEXINGTON, Ky. - U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey, Tim Plancon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Detroit Division, and Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard jointly announce a new initiative, aiming to implement a comprehensive approach to Kentucky’s opioid epidemic.
As part of the plan, the Lexington Police has added officers to its narcotics unit with an enhanced focus on investigating overdose cases that result in either death or serious bodily injury. The enhanced narcotics unit will work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on the Overdose Prosecution Initiative. That initiative focuses on prosecuting dangerous drug dealers that distribute heroin, fentanyl and other opioids that lead to overdose. The Overdose Prosecution Initiative imposes a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and up to life imprisonment upon conviction. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with DEA investigators and officers of the Lexington Police Department will jointly train on best practices in the investigation and prosecution of overdose cases.
Beginning this month, Lexington Police are carrying naloxone, a life-saving medication used to revive individuals who have overdosed on opioids such as oxycodone, heroin or fentanyl. The new initiative plans to provide treatment information to survivors of an overdose who suffer from addiction. The Lexington Police Department is currently working with the City’s Substance Abuse and Violence Intervention program to identify medical providers and recovery specialists who can partner in this initiative.
