State Glance
32 deaths in metro Phoenix attributed to counterfeit pills
PHOENIX — Authorities say they have uncovered a disturbing new trend in drug trafficking in Arizona in which addicts are taking counterfeit OxyContin pills that are laced with the more powerful painkiller fentanyl.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says the counterfeit pills are responsible for the overdose deaths of 32 people in metro Phoenix over the last 18 months.
Officials say the addicts don’t know they’re taking a more powerful drug.
Agents started seeing the pills being smuggled through Arizona two years ago, but those tablets were headed to the East Coast and San Francisco area.
Rescue crews hoist injured worker from manhole
SCOTTSDSALE — Rescue crews used a hoist to rescue a communications worker who was injured when he fell about 25 feet down a manhole in Scottsdale.
The man was described as conscious and talking before he was rescued Tuesday morning by crews from the Scottsdale and Phoenix fire departments.
A rescue descended into the manhole to prepare the worker for being hoisted up.
Once out of the manhole, the worker was placed on a gurney and then transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment of back and knee injuries.
Agency backs off plan to secretly record parents accused of abuse
PHOENIX — Arizona’s child-welfare agency has backed off its plan to allow for secret recordings of adults suspected of child abuse.
12 News (KPNX-TV) reports that the policy allows investigators in the Department of Child Service’s Office of Child Welfare Investigations to covertly use a computer voice stress analyzer in certain situations.
Agency spokeswoman Cynthia Weiss says the policy is being “rescinded.” She says no secret recordings have yet been made.
Family law attorney Gregg Woodnick brought the policy to 12 News’ attention, saying DCS is effectively performing polygraphs on people without their consent.
Arizona indictment accuses man of impersonating doctor
PHOENIX — A man accused of impersonating a doctor and using injections and a laser to treat at least a dozen people for wrinkles and other conditions at Tempe and Scottsdale clinics faces numerous criminal charges.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced Tuesday that charges against Craig Allen Scherf include 12 counts each of unlawful practice of medicine and endangerment.