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<P>Dr. Gressitt, we attended a special debrief in Houston with local DEA agents and we learned about the same thing---nobody knows what's going on. I understand that DEA field officers are convening in DC with Cathy Gallagher and others to get a handle of the new Secure and Responsible Drug Dispoal Act, 2010. Our impression is that the DEA may want to unilaterally lead this campaign but they are strictly concerned with drug diversion. The purposes of the debrief was to recap on the "success" of drug collection in Harris Co. and to solicit ideas from the audience of mostly law enforcement about concerns and questions that should be asked in DC next week. </P>
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<P>here is our list:</P>
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<P>1. how does the DEA define unused and expired medicines? (hazardous, nonhazardous household waste, etc.)</P>
<P>2. what collection mechanism would be preferred by the DEA?</P>
<P>3. what level of accountabilty must be set up to handle and transfer consumers' unwanted narcotics</P>
<P>4. would the DEA only collect controlled substances? what about other prescription drugs and legacy drugs?</P>
<P>5. how would the DEA measure its program and any oversight of other "agencies" approved to collect controlled substances?</P>
<P>6. what data would be collected, who will collect data, etc.?</P>
<P>7. would the DEA have manpower and resources to enact the new law?</P>
<P>8. where is the funds coming from?</P>
<P>9. would the DEA office be considered a "waste generator", depending on chosen classification or definition of UEMs.</P>
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<P>We collected about 3 tons in the county. The DEA local field office will destroy them via contracted reverse distributor. In Houston, there is interest for only 2 annual events. The Sheriff department is already understaff and may not be able to provide personnel. For a city of 4 million, only one police station participated. The chief complain was that there wasn't sufficient time and DEA planners want to invest more into promotion and publicity. The prevailing attitude seems to be setting up secure collection bins for drop offs at designated locations. The speaker thought direct mailback would invite more tampering and diversion. There seems to be some misunderstanding about the sources of unwanted meds and whether consumers' controlled substances at home, workplace or on person should be addressed relative to the DEA's concept of a strict, closed-loop system with registrants, etc. </P>
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<P>Matthew Mireles</P><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px">-----Original Message----- <BR>From: Stevan Gressitt <GRESSITT@GMAIL.COM><BR>Sent: Oct 22, 2010 7:49 AM <BR>To: pharmwaste <PHARMWASTE@LISTS.DEP.STATE.FL.US><BR>Subject: [Pharmwaste] DEA not collaborating with american medicine chest <BR><BR>
<DIV>I learned at a conference this week for what it is worth that DEA is not collaborating with the american medicinechest drug return in november despite any sponsor claims. There is also a newspaper article I found that sclaims incorrectly that the new law allows a pharmacy to collect controlled drugs. Strange things coming out of the woodwork.</DIV>
<DIV><BR clear=all> </DIV>
<DIV>Stevan Gressitt, M.D.<BR>Faculty Associate, University of Maine Center on Aging<BR>Academic Member, Athens Institute for Education and Research</DIV>
<DIV>Athens, Greece</DIV>
<DIV>Founding Director, International Institute for Pharmaceutical Safety<BR>University of New England, College of Pharmacy<BR>Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences <BR>Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry<BR>University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine<BR>716 Stevens Avenue <BR>Portland, Maine 04103<BR><A href="mailto:gressitt@gmail.com" target=_blank>gressitt@gmail.com</A> <BR>Cell: 207-441-0291 </DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.benzos.une.edu/" target=_blank>www.benzos.une.edu</A> </DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.safemeddisposal.com/" target=_blank>www.safemeddisposal.com/</A><BR><BR></DIV><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY>