NCJ Number
78715
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Efforts of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to deal with the diversion of drugs into illegitimate channels at the licensed practitioner level are described, and tactics for countering the increased supply of Southwest Asian heroin are discussed.
Abstract
The diversion of drugs from licit to illicit channels has been reduced at the manufacturer and distributor levels as a direct result of regulatory requirements under the Controlled Substances Act and Federal and State efforts. The same results have not been achieved at the practitioner level (i.e., physicians, pharmacies, researchers, hospitals, and clinics). DEA has embarked on a program called 'Operation Script,' a cooperative effort that combines the resources of DEA and State drug agencies in targeting for extensive investigation 94 preselected pharmacies and physicians in 22 States. As part of its State assistance, the DEA has developed a State criminal investigation operation aimed at prosecuting willful retail registrant diverters. A spin-off of this program is the application of computer technology to identify problem drugs and problem registrants for investigation. To assist pharmacists concerned about the alarming increase in pharmacy thefts, the DEA has initiated a Pharmacy Theft Prevention Program which is available to all communities. In addition, DEA has been working with the various medical associations in developing prescription guidelines that would guard against indiscriminate prescribing of drugs. Moreover, DEA has recently established a Special Action Office/Southwest Asian Heroin to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in Europe and North America in countering the increased trafficking of heroin from Southwest Asia. No references are cited.