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WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN CURBING SYNTHETIC POT

Synthetic marijuana and bath salts have attracted considerable attention recently.  The increasing sale and use of these illegal substances in communities across Wisconsin is concerning to state and local law enforcement.  What may be most troubling are the measures undertaken by those who attempt to manufacture these synthetics - ever so slightly altering the chemical composition in an attempt to evade prosecution. 

The Wisconsin Department of Justice takes the threats posed by these synthetics seriously.  The attorney general's office, the Department's Division of Criminal Investigation and the State Crime Laboratory have partnered with the Legislature, the Wisconsin Controlled Substances Board and other officials to find solutions to the complex enforcement, investigative and regulatory issues presented by these substances. 

One of the communities hit hardest by synthetic controlled substances is the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in north-central Wisconsin.  In April, the tribal government declared a "state of emergency," citing increased emergency medical calls, domestic violence, other criminal activity and a widespread perception of social degradation caused by synthetic marijuana.  Something had to be done. 

Fortunately, the Native American Drug and Gang Initiative was poised to help.  Under the leadership of the Division of Criminal Investigation, NADGI represents the first and last line of defense.  Law enforcement agencies for a number of tribes - Bad River, Ho-Chunk, Lac Courte Oreilles, Menominee, Oneida, Red Cliff, St.  Croix, Stockbridge-Munsee and Lac du Flambeau - make up the core of this interagency drug and gang task force serving Wisconsin's Native American communities. 

Seeking input from tribal communities, NADGI quickly developed a multipronged strategy to tackle the threat posed by synthetics.  The first prong involved broad-based community outreach and awareness training.  Since April, NADGI agents have trained more than 3,000 community members, tribal government leaders, educators, first responders, and other professionals on the dangers of synthetics.  A productive dialogue resonated from this outreach, helping to strengthen those communities and facilitating a wave of "drug tips." Information provided by concerned community members has helped inform and shape enforcement strategies. 

Operation Pandora, a NADGI-led and coordinated street-level enforcement initiative, was developed specifically to target those involved in the manufacture, distribution and use of synthetic marijuana and other controlled substances in Wisconsin's Native American communities.  Operation Pandora culminated in late June with the execution of several search warrants and the arrest of 25 individuals in the Lac du Flambeau tribal community.  This action has made a significant impact. 

NADGI also worked closely with several others in the region, including the sheriff's offices in Vilas, Oneida, Price, Forest and Lincoln counties and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.  Without these strong law enforcement and multidisciplinary partnerships, Operation Pandora would not have been nearly as successful. 

Until we have eradicated synthetics from our communities, schools, churches and parks, our public safety mission is incomplete.  I am confident that the efforts of NADGI through investigations like Operation Pandora will send a clear message that the manufacture, distribution and use of synthetics will not be tolerated. 

- - J.B.  Van Hollen is Wisconsin's attorney general.