phenibut | Tall Cop Says Stop

Legal but Lethal: The Increasing Danger of “Gas Station Drugs”

Published in the Police Chief Magazine - November 2025 Issue

Written by: Jermaine "The Tall Cop" Galloway

Across the nation, law enforcement officers are encountering a troubling pattern: drivers who show unmistakable signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, slowed reaction time, poor coordination, yet test negative for alcohol, cannabis, and controlled substances. Increasingly, the culprits behind these puzzling cases are not illegal narcotics, but legal or unregulated substances sold at gas stations and smoke shops.

Phenibut: The Hidden Threat in Plain Sight

Written by: Officer Jermaine Galloway

January 2025

The Increasing Trend of Phenibut

Written by: Jermaine Galloway, May 8, 2023

What is Phenibut and where does it come from? Phenibut is a non-FDA approved, powerful synthetic depressant that is not new to our streets across the US. Most states have no regulations on Phenibut and many labs don’t test for it. For those who have attended my classes, I have trained on Phenibut for years. In recent years, I have begun to see Phenibut in many more over-the-counter stores. I believe the increase of Phenibut is due to many factors that impact this street level drug.

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Testimonials

Speaking on behalf of the Oregon School Resource Officers Association, Jermaine is one of the few keynotes we have had present at our annual conference multiple times. We will be inviting him back again. He and his presentation are just that good.

Mike Jackson

President

Oregon School Resource Officers Association

We are always fortunate when we are able to slate Officer Jermaine Galloway as a speaker at one of our conferences. Officer Galloway is not only an exemplary presenter, but he takes the time to research local drug and alcohol trends in the jurisdiction where he is speaking to truly give his audience a relevant and worthwhile experience. He has a rare talent for identifying issues that are not immediately obvious such as drug-related code words and illicit drugs disguised as legal commercial products.

Ned Minevitz

Program Attorney & TxDOT Grant Administrator

Texas Municipal Courts Education Center

After your presentation a couple weeks ago I have become more aware of what caseload of probationers are wearing. Just the beginning of this week a new probationer came in, admitted to smoking weed prior to sentencing, so that was my first flag. But was also wearing a sweatshirt that had “TrapLord” on it. I googled it later and found the urban dictionary term being consistent with being a “weed dealer”. Again, without the training you provided for us just a couple weeks ago I am not sure I would have even caught that. Thanks.

Dustin

Officer

South Dakota

In the global festivals and events industry and the rapidly changing world in which we must operate, there is no shortage of risk management challenges to keep those attending our events safe, secure and healthy. To do that, the professionals in our field need access to experts who can shorten our learning curves and advise us on best practices in addressing those challenges. In the critical area of alcohol and substance abuse, Jermaine Gallloway provides the IFEA and those we serve with up-to-date information, education, resource recommendations and training support, all presented in a manner that makes a very large topic both approachable and actionable. Jermaine's firsthand career experience and passion for helping others to recognize and minimize the negative impacts of alcohol and substance abuse, provides those in our industry with an invaluable asset. It is a partnership that we look forward to continuing.

Steve Schmader

President & CEO

International Festivals & Events Association

I work EMS, but I learned more in 1.5 hours than I have in 10 years. Enjoyed the session in Charlotte!

Linda

Paramedic

Emergency Medical Services - Charlotte, NC

Relevant. Current. Real-world application. Jermaine Galloway’s presentation exceeds expectations. Using practical and riveting presenting skills, Jermaine captivates his audience and has a tremendous impact on the total learning experience. He is a dynamic speaker who will enhance any event to which he is invited.

Pam Revels

President

The Alabama Association of School Resource Officers

Jermaine worked hard to find a training date that would fit our schedule and needs. Then, at the training, he was well-prepared and organized.

Eric Wallace

Coordinator of Specialized Training

Amarillo College Criminal Justice Programs

The first time I was able to see and hear the presentation from Jermaine Galloway was at theNational DRE Conference in Seattle, Washington the summer of 2012.

Jim Meyerdirk

DRE State Coordinator Law Enforcement Liaison

Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau

Jermaine is very knowledgeable about drug trends. His classes are very beneficial because they are customized to your area.

Sgt. Chadd Springer

Sergeant

Frisco Police Department

Frisco, Texas

The Tall Cop training was some of the best training I have had in law enforcement. During my time as an SRO it opened my eyes to so many trends and things to look for that were hidden in plain sight.

Chris Daigle

Officer

Little Elm Police Department

Texas

Jennifer Yekel

Family Coach

DHS

Oregon

Jermaine offers the ultimate training experience. He conducts thorough research on current trends in your area, pairing them with what he sees at a national level. I have had the pleasure of attending and hosting Jermaine's t

Jody Heavilin

Coordinator

Alcohol Policy Resource Center at Prevention First

Springfield, Illinois

The Tall Cop training has provided great, updated information to our police department on the current drug trends. Our officers, security and some faculty received this training to gain additional knowledge that will assist with our dai

Sandy Wachsmann

Sergeant

Waco ISD Police Department

Waco, Texas

The Tall Cop class is one of the best classes we’ve hosted at UTA PD. He has presented for our Agency at least 4 times and we bring Jermaine back each year because of the positive feedback we receive from our employees.

Robert Yarbrough

Training Coordinator

University of Texas Arlington Police Department

Arlington, Texas

The things I liked most about the presentation was the very thorough and clear format! Excellent trainer, obviously an expert in his field; practical sessions really helped. Very engaging presentation with lots o

Kenyatta Robertson

Regional Transportation Safety Coordinator

Capital Region Planning Commission

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

I first attended a Tall Cop workshop in a neighboring district and learned so much. Since then, I asked Jermaine to speak at our Service Center to administrators, nurses, counselors, SROs, and school safety personnel.

Mark Ybarra

State Compensatory Education Specialist

Region VI Education Service Center

Huntsville, Texas

Jermaine exudes a wealth of knowledge in regard to the “drug world”. He brings to light items found at your local stores and items which are likely to be in your home medicine cabinet, that are easily accessible to kids which can

Jami Rock

Clinton County Child Advocacy Center

New York

Jermaine Galloway presentations are packed full of information on the current drug market.

Marilyn Moe

Program Manager

North Dakota Supreme Court

Bismarck, North Dakota

When I was volunteered for this class, I will be honest I wasn't thrilled about it. Based on the title of the course it sounded like training on how to identify someone under the influence.

David Willis

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

North Carolina

Jermaine, I have attended one of your in person workshops and viewed several webinars this summer. I just found out that (a relative) was arrested for drug possession and they found a gun.

Anonymous

Educator

Wisconsin

Officer Jermaine provided exceptional training to our Medication-Assisted Treatment Clinic providers, nurses, case managers, and our tribal law enforcement team.

Nyamka Reese

Grants Manager

Elbowoods Memorial Health Center

New Town, North Dakota

"Thank you for the webinar you conducted today with Summit County Health Department. It was so insightful and eye opening both as a professional and as a parent!"

Webinar Testimonial

Jenny-Social Worker

Park City, Utah

I attended your session "High in Plain Sight" at the NADCP conference but only part of our team was able to attend the conference.

County Recovery Court

Tennessee

I was educated on several different variants of the Delta trends, along with tianeptine, phenibut, and kratom.

Bianca

Missouri Credentialing Board

Missouri

First and foremost, the Tall Cop presentation was very informative and really gave you an eye opener and different things to look for that are right in our neighborhoods.

Sheila

Missouri Credentialing Board

Missouri

I wanted to thank you for delivering the webinar yesterday. It was both informative and scary. I am a school psychologist in Nash County, NC.

Alyssa

School Psychologist

North Carolina

This was my first webinar that I sat through and it was SO VERY INFORMATIVE. I am a High School Secretary and there was so much info my mind was honestly blown. Thank you for doing this webinar..I would LOVE to do another one it was so

Christina

High School Secretary

Michigan

I am a retired law enforcement officer and since then, I have been working for the last 3 years in alcohol and drug prevention. I have attended Tall Cop’s Emerging Drug Trends Conference twice and I have attended 8 separate Tall Cop training

F. Scott Myers

AET Coordinator

3rd Circuit

South Carolina

In a day and age where instant gratification comes in many forms, it was refreshing to have Rich Grosfelt (ret.

Patrick Moore

7-12 Principal

ASAAP

Hastings, NE