The Vermont Attorney General issued the following news release:

Representatives of Vermont's professional law enforcement community will gather in Waterbury tomorrow, December 4, 2008, to examine the precipitous rise of prescription drug abuse and related criminal activity in Vermont and around the nation.

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell said his office will be co-sponsoring a forum entitled Drug Diversion 101 with the Vermont Secretary of State's Office. Speakers from the two sponsoring agencies, along with others from the Vermont Medical Examiner's Office and Department of Health, the Vermont State Police, Vermont Board of Medical Practice, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control will present information designed to educate police and prosecutors about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and the difficulties faced by our local communities as a result. A representative from Senator Patrick Leahy's office will also make brief remarks.

The effects and addictive potential of certain prescription narcotics, along with drug theft within licensed healthcare facilities, unlawful Internet Pharmacy operations, "doctor shopping", and effective methods of criminal investigation and prosecution will be among the topics discussed. Police officers from various state and municipal agencies, along with state and federal prosecutors and investigators will be in attendance.

"The serious and ever growing problem of prescription drug abuse and related criminal behavior represent an enormous challenge to Vermont's healthcare professionals, social service agencies, and law enforcement community", said Attorney General Sorrell. "Those of us in law enforcement must consolidate our efforts in conjunction with the state's health and regulatory agencies to ensure our preparedness in fighting all criminal activity associated with this problem", he said. "This conference is a step in that direction."

Attorney General Sorrell said that cooperative efforts between his office and other state, local, and federal agencies would continue to address serious prescription drug issues with the safety of all Vermont's citizens in mind.