906                                 Laws of Maryland                          Ch. 403

any violation or alleged violation of any provision of this subhead-
ing, hearsay evidence shall be admissible if relevant to the issue
and if the underlying circumstances upon which it is based and the
reliability of the source of the information is demonstrated.

(G) STATE POLICE: NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVI-
SION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE STATE POLICE
MAY INITIATE INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHERWISE EN-
FORCE THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 276 THROUGH 302
OF THIS ARTICLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITHOUT
ANY LIMITATION AS TO ACTIVITIES WITHIN MUNICIPAL
CORPORATIONS OR OTHER SUBDIVISIONS.

299. Education and Research:

(a) The Authority in conjunction with the various local school
boards is authorized and directed to carry out educational programs

designed to prevent and deter misuse and abuse of controlled dan-

gerous substances. In connection with such programs it is author-
ized to—

(1) Promote better recognition of the problems of misuse and
abuse of controlled dangerous substances within the regulated indus-
try and among interested groups and organizations;

(2) Assist the regulated industry and interested groups and
organizations in contributing to the reduction of misuse and abuse
of controlled dangerous substances;

(3) Consult with interested groups and organizations to aid them
in solving administrative and organizational problems;

(4) Evaluate procedures, projects, techniques, and controls con-
ducted or proposed as part of educational programs on misuse and
abuse of controlled dangerous substances;

   (5) Disseminate the results of research on misuse and abuse of

controlled dangerous substances to promote a better public under-

standing of what problems exist and what can be done to combat

them, and

(6) Assist in the education and training of State and local law

enforcement officials in their efforts to control misuse and abuse

of controlled dangerous substances.

(b) The Authority is authorized and directed to encourage re-
search on misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances. In
connection with such research and in furtherance of the enforcement
of this Act, the Authority is authorised to—

(1) Establish methods to assess accurately the effects of con-
trolled dangerous substances and to identify and characterize con-
trolled dangerous substances with potential for abuse;

(2) Make studies and undertake programs of research to—

(a) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems,
equipment and devices to strengthen the enforcement of this sub-
heading,

(b) Determine patterns of misuse and abuse of controlled dan-
gerous substances and the social effects thereof, and,