On November 3, 1998, the Board of Supervisors ordered the Department of Health Services to investigate the problem of unlicensed dental operations. This, along with problems of unlicensed medical practitioners and sales of illicit pharmaceuticals, prompted the formation of the Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force (HALT). HALT is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional group of enforcement professionals from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, California State Department of Health Services Medi-Cal Fraud Division, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department, County Counsel, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. HALT was assembled by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in order to combat and deter criminal activity which has an adverse effect on the public's health and well being. These activities include: sale of prescription medicine without a license or prescription, practicing dentistry or medicine without a license, illegally operating blood labs, forced alcohol aversion therapy clinics, and illegal state medicaid (Medi-Cal) billing practices. As of December 14, 2000, HALT has been responsible for over 450 investigations, 300 arrests, confiscation of over $4.5 million worth of pharmaceuticals, closure of 60 businesses, and saved the state of California approximately $28 million per year in potential Medi-Cal fraud. In addition, the HALT often provides educational seminars, to community groups informing them of the medical services available, as well as the dangers involved in receiving medical care from untrained practitioners.