Jacob Higgins

The DEA’s Five Schedules for Classifying Narcotics

A decorated detective who previously worked at the Bluffton, South Carolina, Police Department, Jacob “Jake” Higgins serves as the president of CIS Division LLC. A resident of Bluffton, Jacob Higgins is also a detective sergeant with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office in Ridgeland, where he investigates narcotics cases.

In the United States, narcotics are classified under five schedules by the US Drug Enforcement Administration. This scheduling, or classification, helps lawmakers and law enforcement members categorize existing as well as developing drugs, making them easier to handle. The schedules are arranged from I to V, based on their legality as well as potential for abuse or dependence.

Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and carry the highest risk of abuse or dependence. They include heroin, ecstasy, methaqualone, and lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD.

Schedule II drug are dangerous, with high potential for abuse, and users could suffer physical or psychological dependence. These drugs include cocaine, methadone, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and Adderall.

Schedule III drugs carry a low to moderate risk of dependence, though they can still lead to addiction if misused. They include ketamine, testosterone, and anabolic steroids.

Schedule IV drugs have low potential for abuse or dependence. They include Valium, Soma, Xanax, Ativan, and Tramadol.

Finally, Schedule V drugs have small quantities of narcotics and very low potential for abuse. The drugs are often used for analgesic or antidiarrheal purposes. Examples include codeine, Lyrica, and Lomotil.

Alive at 25 Helps Reduce Automobile Deaths in Young Adults

A Bluffton, South Carolina, law enforcement professional, Jacob “Jake” Higgins has served as a detective sergeant with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office since 2019. In his role with the sheriff’s department, Bluffton resident Jacob Higgins has investigated narcotics and violent crimes cases and taught the Alive at 25 Course.

Created by the National Safety Council, Alive at 25 addresses the fact that more teenagers in the United States die from automobile accidents than any other cause of death. By equipping teenagers with knowledge about the risks and responsibility of driving, the program helps them make wiser, safer choices.

Taught by off-duty deputy sheriffs and police officers, the 4.5-hour course utilizes activities, videos, and case studies to teach young adults how to protect themselves while driving. Since 2007, the program has contributed to a 37 percent reduction in deaths among drivers aged 15 to 24. In 2020, instructors led classes virtually to accommodate as many students as possible.

How Communities Can Collaborate to Address Gang Problems

A South Carolina law enforcement officer and entrepreneur, Jacob “Jake” Higgins has focused on serving the people he swore to protect and help. Before moving to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office as the Detective Sergeant of the Narcotics/Gang/VICE and Violent Crime Unit, he served as a Master Police Detective and certified Gang Investigator with the Bluffton Police Department. Throughout his career, Jacob Higgins has worked to create and implement solutions to the gang menace digging into the deepest workings of violent crime.

Gangs continue to be widespread, thus threatening the safety of communities not only in the US but around the globe. Once considered an urban problem, gangs have in recent years permeated smaller communities, putting a strain on local resources. Local communities are affected the most, as gangs are deeply rooted in neighborhoods. Even large gangs with nationwide networks draw their membership from local youths and utilize neighborhood members to carry out their illegal activities.

Addressing the challenge of gangs needs to begin at the community level, as plans and strategies developed need to be broad-based and involve multiple parties. A good strategy for gang eradication should address three main issues: formulating strategies to deter gang membership, helping youths to drop out of gangs, and sufficiently empowering communities to deal with gangs. For this strategy to succeed, it requires a multi-faceted approach that brings together law enforcement officers, youth, parents, schools, businesses, recreation departments, social service organizations, and religious institutions, among others.

It is also essential to involve elected and nominated leaders such as politicians, agency heads, and ministers, as well as community leaders who have influence over communities by their words and actions. Cooperation among community stakeholders cultivates a sense of belonging and enthusiasm, which creates an environment for success. Community efforts should include identifying current and potential gang members as well as facilitating reconciliation and conflict resolution among gangs, given most criminal groupings are formed based on rivalries.

Qualities of a Crisis and Hostage Negotiator

A law enforcement leader and an accomplished entrepreneur, Jacob “Jake” Higgins worked as a Narcotics/Gang Detective for the Bluffton Police Department. While at Bluffton, Jacob Higgins initiated many case files and taught narcotics and gang-related classes. He was also certified as a crisis and hostage negotiator.

To be a successful crisis and hostage negotiator, one needs to:

– Be a team player. While a single person often handles the negotiation process, the negotiator needs to be able to work seamlessly with others, since getting hostages to safety involves teams from different law enforcement agencies.

– Think and act quickly. A negotiator will need to be able to gather information and make decisions quickly. Also, they need to assess whether the trajectory of the negotiations is promising or hard decisions have to be made to secure the hostages. However, even when the negotiations don’t go as expected, the negotiator should be confident in the decisions they make.

– Have an observing ego. An observing ego helps the negotiator to identify and manage his or her emotions. Consequently, a negotiator refrains from letting their emotions control the negotiation process, even when they are impatient, afraid, or angry. Other skills of a hostage negotiator include the ability to listen actively, deescalate a situation, work under pressure, and assess and take risks.