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The Tall Cop Newsletter
May 2025
THE BEST RESOURCE FOR DRUG TRENDS, NEWS, AND UPDATES
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From The Desk Of The Tall Cop
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A top-trending drug/opioid that most people haven’t heard of… yet it’s a top seller in many communities.
7-Hydroxymitragynine is a drug that has made its way into convenience stores, smoke shops, and street-level drug markets.
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So, what is 7-Hydroxymitragynine—also known as 7-OH or simply 7-Hydroxy?
It’s an alkaloid that naturally occurs in the kratom plant and is extracted through a semi-synthetic process. 7-Hydroxy is significantly more potent than kratom.
At the street level, kratom has evolved into stronger, underregulated substances that are being sold over the counter. Due to its low public awareness and inconsistent or unconfirmed testing standards, this substance can be difficult to detect.
Read the full article HERE: in the Tall Cop Says Stop blog.
Additionally, read our in-depth blog on kratom HERE.
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Why are we selling flavored drugs? If your doctor offered you mango or strawberry-flavored opioids, you’d be outraged—so why do we allow candy-flavored vapes, mushrooms, and other substances to be marketed to kids? In this episode, Jermaine Galloway, the Tall Cop, takes a hard look at the growing trend of flavored drugs, their impact on youth addiction, and why banning one substance while leaving similar ones on the shelves does little to curb the problem. Are our drug bans actually effective, or just good headlines? Tune in for an unfiltered discussion on how street-level drug culture adapts—and what we can do about it.
Check it out here! - Sweet Deception: The Hidden Dangers of Flavored Drugs and the Complexity of Drug Bans
| | Ice Cream, Lip Gloss… and Delta 9? | | |
During a Recent Mall Scan on the East Coast
Next time you stroll through the mall, take a second look at the vending machines. Tucked neatly between a Dippin’ Dots-style ice cream machine and a makeup dispenser, you might just spot a sleek, modern vending machine serving up Delta 9, THC, CBD, and other cannabis products.
No security and no concern that it's just feet away from where kids and teens are begging for lashes and nails or choosing their favorite ice cream flavor. This isn’t a dystopian warning—it’s real, and it’s happening in malls across America. The casual placement of drug-laced products next to kid-friendly staples is no accident—it’s strategic. It’s designed to blend in, a normalization tactic in real time.
Parents, educators, and community leaders: if we aren’t talking about this, someone else is...
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Content Warning: Disturbing Images
The following content contains graphic or potentially distressing images related to drug use and its effects. Viewer discretion is advised.
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Open-Air Drug Use:
The Crisis in Plain Sight
During a gap day in my East Coast travel, I decided to stop into several stores to conduct a scan, followed by a visit to the Kensington area of Philadelphia — a location widely documented as the epicenter of the opioid crisis. As shown in the links below, this area has been the focus of numerous documentaries and articles covering the open-air drug use, sales, and visible intoxication that blanket the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, much of what I had read was confirmed during my visit. As a former law enforcement officer and someone who has trained others for over 20 years, I observed nearly everything mentioned in those reports — and all within just 20 minutes.
Kensington is one of many areas that vividly illustrates the opioid crisis facing communities across the U.S. From the storefront observations I made to the open-air drug use, it’s clear we’re at a critical point — one that’s continuing to spread.
There is no single cause of this epidemic. It’s made up of many “moving parts” and contributing factors, but a major issue is the sheer volume of cases, which in some areas is overwhelming the system. These trends are now reaching high schools — and even middle schools.
Knowledge and education are the first steps to prevention.
Because you can’t stop what you don’t know.
Article Links
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We are thrilled to announce a series of BRAND-NEW webinars launching this year! Whether you’re passionate about making your next drug bust, trying to keep up with the world your teen is living in, or simply eager to learn and grow, these sessions are designed to help you reach your goal.
Expect expert insights, actionable tips, and opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions. Mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss:
June 25th, 2025 - High In Plain Sight: New Street-Level Drug Trends
July 25th, 2025 - Avoiding Detection: Trending and Legal Drugs to Avoid Drug Testing and Detection
August 20th, 2025 - What To Expect With Vapes: 2025 Fall School Year Predictable Vaping Trends
...and more to come!
Taught by: The Tall Cop, $40/pp
Don't forget about our webinar packages, especially if you think many of your colleagues will be taking a few webinars over the next year!
With our packages, you can make a single payment and secure a set number of seats, all while saving 10 to 15% per seat!
Email Jess for more info!
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Need another reason to get registered early
for the 4th Annual National Emerging
Drug Trends conference this fall?
How about America’s Team?
The Dallas Cowboys take on the Arizona Cardinals at home Monday, November 3rd—just days before the 4th Annual National Emerging Drug Trends Conference kicks off in the DFW area!
Secure your spot at EDT and start your week with a little Texas football.
Seats fill fast—for the conference and the game—so don’t wait!
To register for EDT at the early bird price, click HERE
To grab your tickets to the game, click HERE
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Call for Proposals:
National Emerging Drug Trends Conference 2025
Are you on the frontlines of prevention, enforcement, education, or recovery? Do you have valuable insights on emerging drug trends that communities and professionals need to hear?
The National Emerging Drug Trends Conference is now accepting speaker proposals for its 4th Annual Conference, happening November 6–7, 2025, in Dallas, Texas!
We are looking for experienced presenters who meet the following criteria:
✅ A leader in your field
✅ Provide real-world strategies, research-driven insights, and community-based solutions
✅ Suggest practical tools that attendees can apply immediately
Submit your speaker proposal HERE
Be part of the conversation. Help lead the way.
👉 Have questions? Reach out to Jessica—we’re here to help!
Let’s make EDT 2025 unforgettable.
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NoWAC Speaker Series:
Who’s Taking the Stage?
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The Northwest Alcohol Conference is bringing together these top speakers (and more) to share valuable insights on emerging trends, prevention strategies, and more. Don’t miss your chance to learn directly from these leaders in the field!
📢 Register today to secure your spot!
🔗 Register HERE
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Inspired by NoWAC,
Leading their own movement:
We’re proud to share that the Heartland Conference, now preparing for its third event on June 5–6, 2025 in Oklahoma City, was launched after its founder attended NoWAC and was inspired to start something similar for her region. That’s the power of this network!
If you’re nearby or know someone in the area, check it out and help support another great effort.
Register here: Heartland Conference
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J. Chad Professional Training Testimonials
I work for a mental health facility that deals with many clients who are drug users. I would like to share how impressed I was with Jermaine, he was extremely versed, very informative, and very knowledgeable about the drug epidemic that we face in today's world. I left this training blown away by what is being distributed to our youngsters and adults and how it affects everyone. - Maine
I first want to let you know that we truly appreciated the presentation in Missouri. Mr. Galloway always provides a wealth of information, and I always look forward to his presentations at the MATCP conference. The very next day after the presentation, one of our deputies came to tell me they received some sample nicotine pouches that a salesperson wanted them to put in our jail canteen for our inmates. Our Sheriff has decided not to stock the canteen with nicotine pouches. I think everyone who attended found it to be a very eye-opening presentation. - Missouri
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Knowledge in Action:
Just Three Days Later
| | Just three days after attending a Tall Cop training in rural Missouri, a teacher identified what looked like a regular pen—thanks to what she learned, it was recognized as a THC vape pen. The student attempted to discard it, but school staff and officers intervened appropriately. This real-world impact shows how timely education can immediately protect students and campuses. | | |
Remember, You Can’t Stop
What You Don’t Know!
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| Did you miss the April Edition Mass Release? Click Here |
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