MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Six people who claim they were given drugs as part of a now-suspended training program for police are suing the state of Minnesota, alleging the program was an “unethical clinical trial.”

A federal lawsuit filed Friday says authorities participating in the Drug Recognition Evaluators program violated plaintiffs’ rights and treated them like “guinea pigs” by giving them drugs, then leaving them high and unattended.

The program trains officers to detect signs of drug use. An investigation was launched last spring after some Occupy Minneapolis protesters accused police of offering them incentives to participate.

No criminal charges were brought but the program remains suspended pending a review.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon says he can’t discuss pending litigation, but DPS is committed to restoring confidence in the program.

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