FARGO, ND — Life after rehab can lead to uncertainty for recovering addicts. A new recovery living center may have the answers patients need. In 2015, 61 people died from drug related causes according to CDC reports. Although there are numerous rehab centers in the metro, addicts can be at risk of relapse after being released. “Lots of times they…
GRAND FORKS, ND — A Crookston woman has pleaded guilty for her role in a drug related murder in Grand Forks. Lorie Ortiz, 42, admitted that she was involved in attempting to destroy evidence after Austin Forsman was killed in the parking lot of Flying J. The murder investigation uncovered a large meth trafficking ring in the Red River Valley….
MOORHEAD, Minn., — Moorhead police say the majority of abused prescriptions are obtained from medicine cabinets at home. Police officers were at different locations all across the Valley for Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It’s a way to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. One of the drop offs was set…
FARGO, N.D. — The mother of a college student whose body was found in the Red River three years ago says she’s generally pleased with the law in her son’s name. “Andrew’s Law”, named for Andrew Sadek, will provide more protections for undercover drug informants by clarifying their rights. It’ll also allow them to talk with a lawyer before agreeing…
CASS COUNTY, N.D. — A man charged in a conspiracy to sell meth in the metro has lost his bid for a shorter prison term. Marc Cossette was sentenced to 27 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in 2013. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals says U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson of Fargo did not abuse his…
BISMARCK, N.D. — Gov. Burgum has signed “Andrew’s Law” to establish protections for confidential drug informants. The action comes more than three years after 20-year-old college student Andrew Sadek was found dead in a river with a bullet in his head and a backpack of rocks tied to his body. His parents lobbied lawmakers to pass legislation so that…
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — Sad news for Hell’s Kitchen fans. Paulie Giganti, who was a star chef on Fox’s 16th season of the show, has been found dead of an apparent drug overdose at his home in Philadelphia. Authorities say his body tested positive for drugs but did not release what kind were found. Giganti was well-known on the show…
Since 2012, more than 90 people have died in Cass County from an opioid overdose. Now there’s a new clinic to help those struggling with addiction. “You can expect to die 15 to 20 years earlier than someone that does not have an opioid abuse disorder,” said Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator with Fargo Cass Public Health, Robyn Sall. Help is…
BISMARCK, N.D. — Emotional testimony from the parents of Andrew Sadek in Bismarck. Tammy Sadek fought back tears as she talked about her 20-year-old son who had been recruited by police to become a drug informant after he was accused of selling marijuana. The NDSCS student went missing in May 2014 and was later found dead. Sadek believes her…
FARGO, N.D. — A Minneapolis man is sentenced in a 2015 drug bust case at a Fargo motel. Charles Erdmann pleaded guilty in December to felony drug and weapons charges. The judge sentenced Erdmann to 19 years in prison. Erdmann was arrested with another man, Corey Stevens of Fargo after police raided their motel room and found more than $100,000…
