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The drub lab scandal grows...


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2010 Mar 28, 2:58am   1,024 views  2 comments

by elliemae   ➕follow (3)   💰tip   ignore  

In San Francisco, the drub testing lab was shut down in early March after it was discovered that a technician ripped off cocaine she was supposed to be testing - and they're not sure how long it was going on.   According to what I've read, the woman's sister discovered lab evidence at her home late last year, so I'm guessing that the lab controls weren't the best. 

But now, they're thinking that she might have stolen Oxycontin as well.  Surprise, surprise.  An addict with unlimited access stealing more than one drug? 

"San Francisco prosecutors may be forced to drop a total of 1,400 cases in the growing scandal at the police drug lab, including hundreds in which defendants have been placed in drug treatment programs. 

They've already dropped 500 cases (in addition to the 1,400). They're hoping to refile charges on about 300 of them if an outside lab can substantiate the charges.  But I'm thinking that they're gonna have an uphill battle because the attorneys will claim the cases have been tainted by the lab tech's behavior. 

According to the story: "If prosecutors are able to salvage those cases, the final number of doomed cases would stand at 1,600. Buckelew cautioned, however, that final decisions on the matter have not been made. "

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They're going forward on these cases, even tho they'll surely be more expensive to prosecute due to the issues at the lab.  With all of the financial problems the economy has created, is this the best use of their resources? 

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/28/MND91CMCJN.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0jUUI1eJs

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1   mikey   2010 Mar 28, 3:14am  

Illicit drug users are dysfunctional so why are they treated like criminals? Treatment for dependence seems a better option rather than prosecution and incarceration, where they get support for their condition from fellow inmates.

2   elliemae   2010 Mar 28, 5:00am  

Treatment is cheaper, that's for sure. But many people arrested for possession don't want treatment - and will choose it only when offered as an alternative to incarceration.

There are many pot smokers doing time, just 'cause it's illegal. It would be easier, cheaper, and more effective if marijuana were to be legalized.

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