Ex-Drug Officer Sues Spokane, Blames City for Cocaine Addiction

A former police undercover narcotics detective has filed a $2-million lawsuit against the city, contending that he became addicted to cocaine while on the job.

Daniel Newlun, 35, filed the Superior Court suit this week, saying he was exposed to “dangerous substances” and provided with inadequate supervision and training after being assigned to the Spokane police vice unit in 1982.

Newlun was given disability leave with pay in March to obtain treatment for drug abuse, city and police officials said. He resigned last month and applied for permanent disability retirement benefits because of drug dependency.