Beware of Online Pharmacy Extortion Scheme

The DEA is warning people who have purchased prescription drugs on the Internet that they may be a target of a fraudulent extortion scheme. Victims have been telephoned by criminals posing as DEA agents and demanding payment of a fine for purchasing prescriptions over the Internet. A wire transfer payment is demanded, and victims who are reluctant to pay have been threatened with arrest and property searches.

To avoid becoming a victim of this or other criminal schemes, ensure that any prescriptions you purchase online are from pharmacies that are registered with the DEA. Ordering from unknown entities put you at risk of receiving unsafe or counterfeit drugs, and at risk of compromising your personal information.

Dangerous New Drug Made from OTC Ingredients

We sounded the warning over a year ago that abuse of prescription painkillers would lead to an uptick in heroin addiction and unhappily, our predictions are coming through. Opiate addicts are turning to cheap Mexican heroin when they can no longer afford the prescription drugs. Seasoned drug enforcement officers predict that prices will slowly climb for the heroin. What will users do then?

The DEA is concerned that we might see the trend that has been horrifying Russians, just as they thought they had stemmed the tide of heroin from Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. Deprived of their drug of choice, heroin addicts are turning to a vile, but inexpensive, recipe of over-the-counter drugs and household chemicals called Krokodil. The street name for this morphine-analog comes from the common side effect of scaly green skin as the user's body rots from the inside out. Click below to see a disturbing video about how Krokodil has been destroying lives in Siberia. Let's not let it happen in Indian Country!

Don't Be A Victim of Holiday Crime

The highest crime rate of the year is during the holiday season. Consider the following safety tips this shopping season to better protect yourself:

Keep all valuable items close to you. Don’t put your purse or shopping bags down when you’re looking at other items on display. Thieves will take advantage of this short period of inattentiveness as a window to snag all your belongings. Keep your purse shut and tucked under your arm. Never leave any of your belongings unattended. When sitting at a restaurant don’t hang your purse on the back of the chair.

There is safety in numbers. If possible, shop in a group or with another person. Thieves often times work in groups. One thief will distract you by bumping into you and the other will rob you. If you are shopping with a group of people, it’s more difficult and less likely for a robbery to occur.

Don’t talk to strangers. We tell our children this, but as adults we should also follow this rule. As mentioned earlier, thieves will try to distract you. They often do this by asking you questions or for help while their partner in crime is stealing your belongings.

Have your keys in hand. When you are walking to your car make sure you already have your keys handy. Muggers count on people being distracted as they’re fumbling for their keys. Walk with confidence and be very alert to anyone walking up on you. Prior to getting in your car be sure no one has broken in and climbed in the back seat. And, once you get in your car, immediately lock the doors.

Trust your intuition. If you are getting a bad vibe from someone, trust your instinct. Don’t get into an elevator alone with someone if it doesn’t feel right. Be aware of anyone who might be following you or seems suspicious. Try to park as close to the store as you can and in a well lit area, if shopping at night. If you are particularly nervous, go to the security office and ask someone to escort you to your car.

Quick Preparedness Guide

There are at least six Indian nations in the path of Hurricane Sandy, although the Shinnecock Indian Nation of Long Island is likely to suffer the worst; residents are being evacuated to an American Red Cross shelter at Hampton Bays High School. FEMA is advising people to be prepared for hurricanes, heavy rains and flooding and winter storms.
If you're in the path, here's your last minute preparation guide:
• Get some emergency supplies, including food and water, for yourself, your pets and your family for up to 3 days; be sure to get cash back, as power outages will disrupt banking.
• Make sure you have at least a half a tank of gas in your car.
• Make a plan with your family and love ones about where to meet and stay if evacuated or if the weather becomes very cold while the power is out. Find the nearest shelter by texting SHELTER plus your 5-digit ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA). Example: SHELTER 10005
• Protect your property by covering your windows and clearing branches away from your roof.
• Make arrangements to keep your cell phone charged at all times so you can continue to stay informed of changing conditions.

Along with the rest of the nation, we hope those who are in the storm's path will stay safe and that the disruption to your lives will be minimal.

Upcoming Training Opportunity: Drugs of Abuse

Learn to recognize the signs of methamphetamine use, prescription drug and over the counter drug abuse, synthetic drug use or heroin use in tribal housing. In addition to identification, participants will learn effective abatement strategies.

Click on the link to learn more about our upcoming training in Scottsdale, AZ. This two day, interactive program is free for Indian Tribe or Tribal Housing Authority employees. Any other participants can register for $50. Click here to register online.

Rx Drug Take Back Day Nets 244 Tons

Americans turned in 488,395 pounds of prescription and over the counter drugs on Saturday to DEA agents nationwide. Removing these prescription medications from circulation cuts down on the potential for abuse and its catastrophic consequences.  All together, the Take Back events have collected over 1018 tons of prescription pills. We're making progress!

Take Action to Help Native Women

October is the month to take action to support justice for Native women throughout the United States. You can sign a petition encouraging Congress to take immediate action to pass the reauthorization of VAWA, the Violence Against Women Act.

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, September 29

Coming To A Site Near You

The best way not to become a party to prescription drug abuse is to avoid having drugs in the house that are unused or expired. Prescription and over the counter drugs should never be flushed or put down the drain, to avoid contaminating the water supply. Instead, they must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.

To make disposing of unused drugs easier, the DEA will be accepting any pills or liquids you have lying around your house, between 10 am and 2 pm on Monday, September 29. To find the nearest collection site, go to the DEA website to search by your zip code. You can also call 1-800-882-9539 for more information about the program.