Procedures for the Surrender of Unwanted Controlled Substances by Ultimate Users; Notice of Meeting, 80536-80538 [2010-32104]

Download as PDF 80536 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 22, 2010 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Antitrust Division Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993 Vehicle Infrastructure Integration Consortium Notice is hereby given that, on November 24, 2010, pursuant to Section 6(a) of the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. (‘‘the Act’’), the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration Consortium (‘‘VIIC’’) has filed written notifications simultaneously with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission disclosing changes in its membership. The notifications were filed for the purpose of extending the Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages under specified circumstances. Specifically, Nissan North America, Inc., Franklin Hills, TN, has succeeded Nissan North America Technical Center, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI, as a member, and the name of the member previously listed as Mercedes-Benz Research & Technology North America, Inc. is corrected to read Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc., Palo Alto, CA. No other changes have been made in either the membership or planned activity of the group research project. Membership in this group research project remains open, and VIIC intends to file additional written notification disclosing all changes in membership. On May 1, 2006, VIIC filed its original notification pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act. The Department of Justice published a notice in the Federal Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act on June 2, 2006 (71 FR 32128). The last notification was filed with the Department on March 11, 2008. A notice was published in the Federal Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act on April 7, 2008 (71 FR 18811). Patricia A. Brink, Director of Civil Enforcement, Antitrust Division. 6(a) of the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. (‘‘the Act’’), National Warheads and Energetics Consortium (‘‘NWEC’’) has filed written notifications simultaneously with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission disclosing changes in its membership. The notifications were filed for the purpose of extending the Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages under specified circumstances. Specifically, Franklin Engineering Group, Inc., Franklin, TN; RDM Engineering, LLC, East Brunswick, NJ; Rocky Mountain Scientific Laboratory, Centennial, CO; Rocky Research, Boulder City, NV; The Research Foundation of State University of New York, Binghamton, NY; and Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, have been added as parties to this venture. Also, AMTEC Corporation, Janesville, WI; Atlantic Technical Components, Inc., Middletown, NY; CAE Solutions Corp., Fremont, CA; and Clear Align, Eagleville, PA, have withdrawn as parties to this venture. No other changes have been made in either the membership or planned activity of the group research project. Membership in this group research project remains open, and NWEC intends to file additional written notifications disclosing all changes in membership. On May 2, 2000, NWSC filed its original notification pursuant to Section 6(a) oi the Act. The Department of Justice published a notice in the Federal Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act on June 30, 2010 (65 PR 40963). The last notification was filed with the Department on August 16, 2010. A norice was published in the Federal Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act on September 8, 2010 (74 FR 54652). Patricia A. Brink, Director of Civil Enforcement, Antitrust Division. [FR Doc. 2010–32052 Filed 12–21–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–11–M [FR Doc. 2010–32053 Filed 12–21–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES [Docket No. DEA–316N] Antitrust Division RIN 1117–AB18 Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993 National Warheads and Energetics Consortium Notice is hereby given that, on November 30, 2010, pursuant to Section VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:24 Dec 21, 2010 Jkt 223001 Procedures for the Surrender of Unwanted Controlled Substances by Ultimate Users; Notice of Meeting Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: Notice of meeting. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is conducting a public meeting to discuss procedures for the surrender of unwanted controlled substances by ultimate users and long term care facilities in the development of regulations to implement the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. Specifically, DEA invites all interested persons, including ultimate users, pharmacies, law enforcement, reverse distributors, and other third parties to express their views at the meeting or by written comment concerning the most safe and effective method of disposal of controlled substances consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. DATES: This meeting will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2011, and Thursday, January 20, 2011, 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. This meeting will be held at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 347–3000. MEETING ATTENDANCE: Persons wishing to attend this meeting, space permitting, must provide attendee information to the Liaison and Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, via e-mail: dea.diversion.policy@usdoj.gov. DEA will only accept requests to attend this public meeting by e-mail. Please include ‘‘Disposal meeting attendee information’’ in the subject line of the e-mail. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must provide the information requested under ‘‘Meeting Participation’’ to the Liaison and Policy Section via e-mail no later than January 12, 2011. There is no fee to register for the meeting and registrations will be accepted on a firstcome, first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged because seating is limited. MEETING PRESENTATIONS: DEA is accepting requests to make limited oral presentations during the public meeting, as discussed further in this document. Persons wishing to give an oral presentation at this meeting, space and time permitting, must provide attendee information and indicate the desire to present at this public meeting to the Liaison and Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, via e-mail to dea.diversion.policy@usdoj.gov. DEA will only accept requests to present at this public meeting by e-mail. Please include ‘‘Disposal meeting: Request to present’’ in the subject line of the e-mail. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 22, 2010 / Notices Persons wishing to give an oral presentation at this meeting must provide the information requested under ‘‘Meeting Participation’’ to the Liaison and Policy Section no later than January 7, 2011. Persons and groups having similar interests may wish to consider consolidating their information for an oral presentation through a single representative. After reviewing the requests to present, DEA will respond to all persons that request an oral presentation to notify them of the status of their request. If selected to give an oral presentation, DEA will notify the presenting person or party of the amount of time available to present and the approximate time the participant’s presentation is scheduled to begin. SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS: DEA is accepting written comments as discussed further in this document. Commenters should reference ‘‘Docket No. DEA–316’’ on all electronic and written correspondence. Written comments must be postmarked and electronic comments must be submitted on or before January 12, 2011. Commenters should be aware that the electronic Federal Docket Management System will not accept comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period. Comments may be sent electronically through https://www.regulations.gov using the electronic comment form provided on that site. Please note that DEA is requesting that electronic comments be submitted before midnight Eastern time on the day the comment period closes because https:// www.regulations.gov terminates the public’s ability to submit comments at midnight Eastern time on the day the comment period closes. Commenters in time zones other than Eastern time may want to consider this so that their electronic comments are received. Written comments sent via regular or express mail should be sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/ ODL, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152. All comments sent via regular or express mail will be considered timely if postmarked on the day the comment period closes. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark W. Caverly, Chief, Liaison and Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, telephone: (202) 307–7297. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Posting of Public Comments: All submitted comments will be made available to be viewed on the Web site: VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:24 Dec 21, 2010 Jkt 223001 https://www.regulations.gov prior to the public meeting. A link to this electronic docket will be available at the DEA Diversion Control Program Web site, https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Please note that all comments received are considered part of the public record and made available for public inspection online at https:// www.regulations.gov and in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s public docket. Such information includes personal identifying information (such as your name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter. If you want to submit personal identifying information (such as your name, address, etc.) as part of your comment, but do not want it to be posted online or made available in the public docket, you must include the phrase ‘‘Personal Identifying Information’’ in the first paragraph of your comment. You must also place all the personal identifying information you do not want posted online or made available in the public docket in the first paragraph of your comment and identify what information you want redacted. If you want to submit confidential business information as part of your comment, but do not want it to be posted online or made available in the public docket, you must include the phrase ‘‘Confidential Business Informationm’’ in the first paragraph of your comment. You must also prominently identify confidential business information to be redacted within the comment. If a comment has so much confidential business information that it cannot be effectively redacted, all or part of that comment may not be posted online or made available in the public docket. Personal identifying information and confidential business information identified and located as set forth above will be redacted and the comment, in redacted form, will be posted online and placed in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s public docket file. Please note that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all comments received. If you wish to inspect the agency’s public docket file in person by appointment, please see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph. Background The nonmedical use of prescription drugs is a growing problem in the United States, particularly among teenagers. According to the Department of Justice’s 2009 National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment, unintentional overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increased 114 percent from PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 80537 2001 to 2005, and the number of treatment admissions for prescription opioids increased 74 percent from 2002 to 2006. Teens abuse prescription drugs more than any illicit drug except marijuana—more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined.1 In 2009, 2.2 million (nearly one third (28.6%) of first time drug abusers) persons age 12 or older abused prescription drugs.2 DEA recognizes that abuse of prescription controlled substances is a significant issue in our nation’s communities. When originally enacted in 1970, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and its implementing regulations did not contemplate a situation in which an ultimate user would deliver previously dispensed controlled substances to another person or entity. The CSA defines an ultimate user of a controlled substance as ‘‘a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member of his household or for an animal owned by him or a member of his household’’ (21 U.S.C. 802(27)). Under the CSA, ‘‘the term ‘distribute’ means to deliver (other than by administering or dispensing) a controlled substance or a listed chemical.’’ (21 U.S.C. 802(11)). ‘‘The terms ‘deliver’ or ‘delivery’ mean the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled substance or a listed chemical, whether or not there exists an agency relationship.’’ (21 U.S.C. 802(8)). On October 12, 2010, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–273) was enacted. This act amended the Controlled Substances Act to allow ultimate users to dispose of unwanted controlled substances by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. This act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances. DEA is currently drafting regulations that would allow for the disposal of unwanted controlled substances by those not registered with DEA. DEA has been charged by Congress with preventing diversion of controlled substances during the disposal process, and with considering the public health and safety as well as the ease and cost of program implementation and participation by various communities in drafting regulations to implement the 1 Office of National Drug Control Policy 2008 ‘‘Prescription for Danger’’ January 24, 2008 2 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), September 2010. E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 80538 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 22, 2010 / Notices srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES law. DEA also recognizes concerns raised by State and local governments, the healthcare industry, the law enforcement community, public and private environmental organizations, and individual citizens. In response to these concerns, DEA is holding a public meeting to gather information from interested persons regarding potential solutions within the framework of the Controlled Substances Act. As discussed above, DEA is seeking input in the form of oral presentations and written comments. Regardless of the format, specific concerns which persons are encouraged to address are as follows: • The process of the disposal of unwanted controlled substances could create new and unwanted avenues for diversion. What is the safest manner, in your opinion, to dispose of unwanted controlled substances while preventing diversion? • Please explain why you believe the solution you propose would protect the public health and safety and would curtail diversion. • Do you foresee any specific obstacles to the disposal of controlled substances in your community or geographical area? If so, what are they? • How is the disposal of controlled substances affected by State and local laws and regulations? Meeting Participation This meeting is open to the public. Persons and organizations representing state and local governments; law enforcement agencies; publicly owned treatment works; DEA-registered pharmacies; DEA-registered manufacturers, distributors, and reverse distributors; ultimate users of controlled substances (i.e., patients and members of their households); long term care facilities; hospices and in-home care groups; and other concerned organizations may be particularly interested in this meeting. Persons wishing to attend, or provide oral presentations at this meeting, time and space permitting, must provide the following information to the Liaison and Policy Section using the contact information listed above no later than January 7, 2011 (request to present) and January 12, 2011 (request to attend): Name: llllllllllllllllll l Title: llllllllllllllllll l Company/Organization: llllllllllllllllll l Address: llllllllllllllllll l Telephone: llllllllllllllllll l VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:24 Dec 21, 2010 Jkt 223001 E-mail address: llllllllllllllllll l Date(s) you wish to attend: llllllllllllllllll l Persons should clearly indicate in the subject line of their e-mail whether they are requesting to attend the meeting or requesting to present at the meeting, following the ‘‘Meeting Attendance’’ and ‘‘Meeting Presentations’’ sections of this notice. Please note that this public meeting will not be webcast. A copy of the transcript from this public meeting will be made available at the DEA Diversion Control Program Web site, https:// www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Persons needing accommodations (e.g., sign language interpreter) are requested to notify DEA with their accommodation request no later than January 7, 2011. As this meeting is open to the public, confidential business information or other proprietary information should NOT be shared. Persons wishing to provide written comments may do so no later than January 12, 2011. All comments will be made available at https:// www.regulations.gov in the electronic docket for this notice of meeting. A link to the electronic docket may be found at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Please see the ‘‘Submission of Written Comments’’ section for further information regarding providing written comments. Dated: December 16, 2010. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control. [FR Doc. 2010–32104 Filed 12–21–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–09–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Safety Defects; Examination, Correction, and Records ACTION: Notice. The Department of Labor (DOL) hereby announces the submission of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ‘‘Safety Defects; Examination, Correction, and Records,’’ to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). DATES: Submit comments on or before January 21, 2011. ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site, https://www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693– 4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or sending an e-mail to DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202–395–4816/Fax: 202–395–6881 (these are not toll-free numbers), e-mail: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693– 4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by e-mail at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) section 103(h), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Regulations 30 CFR 56.13015 and 57.13015 require compressed-air receivers and other unfired pressure vessels to be inspected by inspectors holding a valid National Board Commission and in accordance with the applicable chapters of the National Board Inspection Code, a Manual for Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspectors, 1979. Safety defects found on compressed-air receivers and other unfired pressure vessels have caused injuries and fatalities in the mining industry. Records of inspections must be kept in accordance with the requirements of the National Board Inspection Code and the records must be made available to the Secretary or an authorized representative. Regulations 30 CFR 56.13030 and 57.13030 require that fired pressure vessels (boilers) must be equipped with water level gauges, pressure gauges, automatic pressure-relief valves, blowdown piping and other safety devices approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to protect against hazards from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80536-80538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32104]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

[Docket No. DEA-316N]
RIN 1117-AB18


Procedures for the Surrender of Unwanted Controlled Substances by 
Ultimate Users; Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is conducting a 
public meeting to discuss procedures for the surrender of unwanted 
controlled substances by ultimate users and long term care facilities 
in the development of regulations to implement the Secure and 
Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010. Specifically, DEA invites all 
interested persons, including ultimate users, pharmacies, law 
enforcement, reverse distributors, and other third parties to express 
their views at the meeting or by written comment concerning the most 
safe and effective method of disposal of controlled substances 
consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the Secure and 
Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010.

DATES: This meeting will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2011, and 
Thursday, January 20, 2011, 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Check-in will begin 
at 8 a.m. This meeting will be held at the Mayflower Renaissance 
Washington, DC Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20036; (202) 347-3000.

MEETING ATTENDANCE: Persons wishing to attend this meeting, space 
permitting, must provide attendee information to the Liaison and Policy 
Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, 
via e-mail: dea.diversion.policy@usdoj.gov. DEA will only accept 
requests to attend this public meeting by e-mail. Please include 
``Disposal meeting attendee information'' in the subject line of the e-
mail. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must provide the 
information requested under ``Meeting Participation'' to the Liaison 
and Policy Section via e-mail no later than January 12, 2011. There is 
no fee to register for the meeting and registrations will be accepted 
on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged 
because seating is limited.

Meeting Presentations: DEA is accepting requests to make limited oral 
presentations during the public meeting, as discussed further in this 
document. Persons wishing to give an oral presentation at this meeting, 
space and time permitting, must provide attendee information and 
indicate the desire to present at this public meeting to the Liaison 
and Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement 
Administration, via e-mail to dea.diversion.policy@usdoj.gov. DEA will 
only accept requests to present at this public meeting by e-mail. 
Please include ``Disposal meeting: Request to present'' in the subject 
line of the e-mail.

[[Page 80537]]

Persons wishing to give an oral presentation at this meeting must 
provide the information requested under ``Meeting Participation'' to 
the Liaison and Policy Section no later than January 7, 2011. Persons 
and groups having similar interests may wish to consider consolidating 
their information for an oral presentation through a single 
representative. After reviewing the requests to present, DEA will 
respond to all persons that request an oral presentation to notify them 
of the status of their request. If selected to give an oral 
presentation, DEA will notify the presenting person or party of the 
amount of time available to present and the approximate time the 
participant's presentation is scheduled to begin.

Submission of Written Comments: DEA is accepting written comments as 
discussed further in this document. Commenters should reference 
``Docket No. DEA-316'' on all electronic and written correspondence. 
Written comments must be postmarked and electronic comments must be 
submitted on or before January 12, 2011. Commenters should be aware 
that the electronic Federal Docket Management System will not accept 
comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment 
period.
    Comments may be sent electronically through https://www.regulations.gov using the electronic comment form provided on that 
site. Please note that DEA is requesting that electronic comments be 
submitted before midnight Eastern time on the day the comment period 
closes because https://www.regulations.gov terminates the public's 
ability to submit comments at midnight Eastern time on the day the 
comment period closes. Commenters in time zones other than Eastern time 
may want to consider this so that their electronic comments are 
received.
    Written comments sent via regular or express mail should be sent to 
the Drug Enforcement Administration, Attention: DEA Federal Register 
Representative/ODL, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152. All 
comments sent via regular or express mail will be considered timely if 
postmarked on the day the comment period closes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mark W. Caverly, Chief, Liaison and 
Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement 
Administration, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, 
telephone: (202) 307-7297.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Posting of Public Comments: All submitted comments will be made 
available to be viewed on the Web site: https://www.regulations.gov 
prior to the public meeting. A link to this electronic docket will be 
available at the DEA Diversion Control Program Web site, https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
    Please note that all comments received are considered part of the 
public record and made available for public inspection online at https://www.regulations.gov and in the Drug Enforcement Administration's 
public docket. Such information includes personal identifying 
information (such as your name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter.
    If you want to submit personal identifying information (such as 
your name, address, etc.) as part of your comment, but do not want it 
to be posted online or made available in the public docket, you must 
include the phrase ``Personal Identifying Information'' in the first 
paragraph of your comment. You must also place all the personal 
identifying information you do not want posted online or made available 
in the public docket in the first paragraph of your comment and 
identify what information you want redacted.
    If you want to submit confidential business information as part of 
your comment, but do not want it to be posted online or made available 
in the public docket, you must include the phrase ``Confidential 
Business Informationm'' in the first paragraph of your comment. You 
must also prominently identify confidential business information to be 
redacted within the comment. If a comment has so much confidential 
business information that it cannot be effectively redacted, all or 
part of that comment may not be posted online or made available in the 
public docket.
    Personal identifying information and confidential business 
information identified and located as set forth above will be redacted 
and the comment, in redacted form, will be posted online and placed in 
the Drug Enforcement Administration's public docket file. Please note 
that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all comments received. 
If you wish to inspect the agency's public docket file in person by 
appointment, please see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT paragraph.

Background

    The nonmedical use of prescription drugs is a growing problem in 
the United States, particularly among teenagers. According to the 
Department of Justice's 2009 National Prescription Drug Threat 
Assessment, unintentional overdose deaths involving prescription 
opioids increased 114 percent from 2001 to 2005, and the number of 
treatment admissions for prescription opioids increased 74 percent from 
2002 to 2006. Teens abuse prescription drugs more than any illicit drug 
except marijuana--more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine 
combined.\1\ In 2009, 2.2 million (nearly one third (28.6%) of first 
time drug abusers) persons age 12 or older abused prescription 
drugs.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Office of National Drug Control Policy 2008 ``Prescription 
for Danger'' January 24, 2008
    \2\ 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 
September 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DEA recognizes that abuse of prescription controlled substances is 
a significant issue in our nation's communities. When originally 
enacted in 1970, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and its 
implementing regulations did not contemplate a situation in which an 
ultimate user would deliver previously dispensed controlled substances 
to another person or entity. The CSA defines an ultimate user of a 
controlled substance as ``a person who has lawfully obtained, and who 
possesses, a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a 
member of his household or for an animal owned by him or a member of 
his household'' (21 U.S.C. 802(27)). Under the CSA, ``the term 
`distribute' means to deliver (other than by administering or 
dispensing) a controlled substance or a listed chemical.'' (21 U.S.C. 
802(11)). ``The terms `deliver' or `delivery' mean the actual, 
constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled substance or a 
listed chemical, whether or not there exists an agency relationship.'' 
(21 U.S.C. 802(8)).
    On October 12, 2010, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act 
of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-273) was enacted. This act amended the Controlled 
Substances Act to allow ultimate users to dispose of unwanted 
controlled substances by delivering them to entities authorized by the 
Attorney General to accept them. This act also allows the Attorney 
General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their 
residents' controlled substances in certain instances. DEA is currently 
drafting regulations that would allow for the disposal of unwanted 
controlled substances by those not registered with DEA.
    DEA has been charged by Congress with preventing diversion of 
controlled substances during the disposal process, and with considering 
the public health and safety as well as the ease and cost of program 
implementation and participation by various communities in drafting 
regulations to implement the

[[Page 80538]]

law. DEA also recognizes concerns raised by State and local 
governments, the healthcare industry, the law enforcement community, 
public and private environmental organizations, and individual 
citizens. In response to these concerns, DEA is holding a public 
meeting to gather information from interested persons regarding 
potential solutions within the framework of the Controlled Substances 
Act.
    As discussed above, DEA is seeking input in the form of oral 
presentations and written comments. Regardless of the format, specific 
concerns which persons are encouraged to address are as follows:
     The process of the disposal of unwanted controlled 
substances could create new and unwanted avenues for diversion. What is 
the safest manner, in your opinion, to dispose of unwanted controlled 
substances while preventing diversion?
     Please explain why you believe the solution you propose 
would protect the public health and safety and would curtail diversion.
     Do you foresee any specific obstacles to the disposal of 
controlled substances in your community or geographical area? If so, 
what are they?
     How is the disposal of controlled substances affected by 
State and local laws and regulations?

Meeting Participation

    This meeting is open to the public. Persons and organizations 
representing state and local governments; law enforcement agencies; 
publicly owned treatment works; DEA-registered pharmacies; DEA-
registered manufacturers, distributors, and reverse distributors; 
ultimate users of controlled substances (i.e., patients and members of 
their households); long term care facilities; hospices and in-home care 
groups; and other concerned organizations may be particularly 
interested in this meeting.
    Persons wishing to attend, or provide oral presentations at this 
meeting, time and space permitting, must provide the following 
information to the Liaison and Policy Section using the contact 
information listed above no later than January 7, 2011 (request to 
present) and January 12, 2011 (request to attend):
Name:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Company/Organization:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail address:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date(s) you wish to attend:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Persons should clearly indicate in the subject line of their e-mail 
whether they are requesting to attend the meeting or requesting to 
present at the meeting, following the ``Meeting Attendance'' and 
``Meeting Presentations'' sections of this notice.
    Please note that this public meeting will not be webcast. A copy of 
the transcript from this public meeting will be made available at the 
DEA Diversion Control Program Web site, https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
    Persons needing accommodations (e.g., sign language interpreter) 
are requested to notify DEA with their accommodation request no later 
than January 7, 2011.
    As this meeting is open to the public, confidential business 
information or other proprietary information should NOT be shared.
    Persons wishing to provide written comments may do so no later than 
January 12, 2011. All comments will be made available at https://www.regulations.gov in the electronic docket for this notice of 
meeting. A link to the electronic docket may be found at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Please see the ``Submission of Written 
Comments'' section for further information regarding providing written 
comments.

     Dated: December 16, 2010.
Joseph T. Rannazzisi,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control.
[FR Doc. 2010-32104 Filed 12-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.