<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.19394"></HEAD>
<BODY style="MARGIN: 4px 4px 1px; FONT: 10pt Tahoma">
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">April 27<SUP>th</SUP> DEC Collection--No Civilian Contact in NY</FONT></P><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>I was just informed that our DEA regional supervisor had a three hour meeting with our law enforcement partners.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They were told that we will not be allowed to conduct our planned, pharmacist lead, inventory of controlled substances.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No citizens will be allowed to handle the medications that are turned in anywhere in NYS.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It sounded like an awkward and uncomfortable meeting for our law enforcement partners.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>I don’t understand why our ongoing inventory program is suddenly not okay.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If the draft rules are adopted as written, inventories will never be permissible.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Is our regional DEA office jumping the gun, since the new rules have not yet taken effect?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I can only hope that it does not relate to my recently denied, and now appealed, FOIA request to DEA.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>It is hard for me to not see this as a bad omen regarding the DEA’s ultimate response to comments calling for some exemption to allow for scientifically conducted research involving inventory.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It would be a tremendous loss to not be able to collect data that could help set prescribing guidelines that would decrease the amount of waste medication produced. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>At my request, local law enforcement has asked the regional DEA office for clarification on what, if anything, volunteers can help with on April 27<SUP>th</SUP>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I assume our greeters can still conduct a survey since they do not contact any medications.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Will we be able to help keep traffic flowing by holding trays for drivers to deposit meds in and carry them to the disposal boxes?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If not, we could have a big problem.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A third and possibly fourth officer would be needed at our main collection site to prevent cars from back up onto a major road and causing a traffic jam.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Additional officers may not be available.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Does the DEA expect that screening for mercury thermometers and sharps will occur?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If so, can volunteers help if bottles aren’t being opened and an officer is directly supervising?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If not, it is likely that some mercury will be improperly sent to the incinerator.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The draft DEA rule makes no prevision for screening for unacceptable items.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>I’ll pass on the DEA’s response to these questions as soon as I get them.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Ed Gottlieb<BR>Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal <BR>Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator <BR>Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility<BR><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">525 3rd Street</st1:Street><BR><st1:City w:st="on">Ithaca</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">NY</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">14850</st1:PostalCode></st1:address><BR>(607) 273-8381<BR>fax: (607) 273-8433</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal></FONT></o:p></P></BODY></HTML>