The DEA has renewed its pledge to patrol the prescribing, administering, and dispensing of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This pledge makes health care practitioners vulnerable to prosecution under the CSA for drug diversion, especially pain management physicians.
The CSA sets forth the federal law regarding both illicit and licit (pharmaceutical) controlled substances. With respect to pharmaceutical controlled substances, the DEA's statutory responsibility is twofold: to prevent diversion and abuse of these drugs while ensuring an adequate and uninterrupted supply is available to meet the country's legitimate medical, scientific, and research needs. In carrying out this mission, the DEA works in close cooperation with state and local authorities and other federal agencies.
The federal controlled substances laws are designed to work in tandem with state controlled substance laws. Toward this same goal, the DEA works in close cooperation with state professional licensing boards and state and local law enforcement officials to ensure that pharmaceutical controlled substances are prescribed, administered, and dispensed for legitimate medical purposes in accordance with federal and state laws. Within this cooperative framework, the majority of investigations into possible violations of the controlled substances laws are carried out by state authorities. However, the DEA also conducts investigations into possible violations of federal law as circumstances warrant.
In the event a state board revokes the license of a practitioner, the DEA will take action and request a voluntary surrender of the practitioner's DEA registration. If the practitioner refuses to voluntarily surrender the registration, the DEA will pursue administrative action to revoke the DEA registration. The DEA may also pursue judicial action if there is sufficient evidence of illegal distribution or significant record keeping violations. All such actions are intended to deny the practitioner the means to continue to divert or abuse controlled substances as well as to protect the health and safety of the public and the practitioner.
Contact a Drug Diversion Defense Lawyer
If you are notified of an investigation by state or federal agents concerning drug diversion, contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass immediately for your protection. We offer free initial consultations to prospective clients throughout the country. Based in our offices in Dallas and Plano, Texas, we regularly travel around the country to meet with clients. If you choose to retain an attorney from our firm, we offer cost-effective service and accept credit cards for payment.
