NCJ Number
119782
Journal
Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: special issue (October-December 1983) Pages: 47-53
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
For the past 13 years Australia's Department of Health has operated a computerized monitoring system that records the movement throughout Australia of selected legal drugs with the potential for abuse.
Abstract
The Drugs of Dependence Monitoring System is designed to prevent diversion to the illicit market. From the moment of import or manufacture, each drug is monitored in its movements until it reaches the final distributor, which is usually a pharmacy, a veterinarian, or a hospital. Approximately 300,000 movements are checked each year. The system includes all drugs covered by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The system generates reports on the quantities imported, exported, locally produced, used in manufacture, and distributed. As a result, the risk of diversion has been reduced to a minimum. In addition, information from the system has been of great help in fulfilling Australia's international treaty obligations. Table and 2 references. (Author abstract modified)