News Release
February 3, 2004

DEA Detroit Co-Sponsors Drug Prevention Seminar on Pharmaceutical Abuse and Diversion

Acting SAC Gary Oetjen provides opening remarks at “Prescription for Disaster”

Detroit, MI- On January 28, 2004, 335 community members from drug prevention coalitions, education groups, law enforcement and treatment gathered to hear from leading experts on pharmaceutical diversion and abuse. The gathering was sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Prevention Coalition of Southeast Michigan (PREVCO).

Acting Special Agent in Charge Gary Oetjen provided the groups opening remarks. Mr. Oetjen, who is currently assigned in the state of Kentucky, implored the audience to take seriously the threat posed by the diversion of pharmaceuticals such as Oxycontin. As medical technology has advanced so have pharmaceutical drugs and their effects.

Chief of the International Drug Unit Wayne Michaels speaks about Internet pharmaceutical purchases

The seminar title, “Prescription for Disaster, Drugged, Downed, and Diverted”, provided an appropriate lead in for the speakers who gave a wide range of expertise in the toxicology, pharmacology, and drug treatment fields. A presentation was given by Dr. Mark Menestrina of Brighton Hospital Treatment Center about the myths of marijuana, which provided overwhelming evidence of the hazards of marijuana. Mr. Wayne Michaels, Chief of DEA’s International Drug Unit for the Office of Diversion Control, discussed the current problems with Internet pharmaceutical drug ordering. Again, technology has brought drug-related issues to the forefront that several years ago would not have been imagined. The seminar closed with Jim Halushka of the Oakland County Prosecutors Office giving an overview on the drug legalization movement in America and what responsible citizens need to do to continue to protect our children.