- Two Independence police officers have been honored for an investigation that eventually led to the scheduling of bromazolam, also known as designer Xanax, in Kentucky
- Bromozolam was developed in 1970s. 48 peopled died from bromazolam overdoses in KY last year
- The officers’ investigation led to more investigations by the NKY Drug Strike Force, prompting calls for scheduling from state leaders
Sam Collins and Cole O’Brien, two Independence police officers, were honored by the Independence City Council Monday night for their work in investigating black markets for a substance called bromazolam, sometimes called designer Xanax.
Their initial investigation eventually led to the substance being marked as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in August.
Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman called the officers’ work “impressive” because it “moved onto something that actually affected change in statute. This wasn’t a policy thing. This wasn’t a better way to do things. It was something that will save more lives.”
Additionally, the officers were honored with awards in criminal investigation from the American Police Hall of Fame.
Bromazolam is in the same drug family as Xanax, albeit with some chemical differences, and induces similar effects in the body. It was developed in the 1970s but was never marketed. It currently has no FDA-approved medical uses. There were 48 overdose deaths from bromazolam in Kentucky last year, according to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.
Earlier this year, while attending to what turned out to be a fatal overdose in the city, the officers discovered 200 pressed pills of what they initially believed to be standard Xanax.
After some deeper investigations, they relayed their findings to the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, which continued to investigate bromazolam trafficking at a broader level. The Strike Force put the issue on the Attorney General’s radar.
One investigation from earlier this year, headed up by the Strike Force and the U.S. Postal Service, intercepted a package being shipped from Miami, Florida to Latonia in Covington containing 958 pressed bromazolam pills, according to the AG’s office. Attorney General Russell Coleman called upon the Cabinet of Health and Family Services to schedule the drug in August.
“We live at a time when as little as one pill can – and is – killing our children,” Coleman wrote in his letter to the Cabinet. “There is zero margin of error when it comes to illicit drugs and counterfeit pills. As parents and as public officials, we must do everything possible to cut off the supply of these deadly substances through vigorous enforcement while continuing to promote the effective prevention, treatment and recovery efforts that are saving lives across Kentucky.”
Gov. Andy Beshear took emergency action to schedule the drug later in August. Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia have also classified bromazolam as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. The drug is unscheduled at the federal level.
Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force Executive Director Scott Hardcorn attended Monday’s meeting and commended the officers’ work.
“Independence is great, and we have an awesome relationship with the entire city and police department, and it couldn’t be better,” Hardcorn said.