December 12 & 13, 2017 — Dallas, Texas

Introduction

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Diversion Control, sponsored the 23rd DEA National Conference on Pharmaceutical and Chemical Diversion, December 12 – 13, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. Attendees included approximately 96 representatives from various federal, state and local government law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The purpose of this national conference is to educate federal, state and local regulatory and law enforcement personnel on current trends and issues involving pharmaceutical controlled substances and DEA regulated (listed) chemicals. Federal, state and local representatives also had an opportunity to interact with DEA representatives to discuss issues or concerns on behalf of their federal agency, state or region. This conference is held on an annual basis and is one of the mechanisms used by the Diversion Control Division to foster communication and cooperation with its state and local counterparts.

Conference Presentations

The Opioid Drug Crisis: The Past and the Present – James A. Arnold, Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

Unintended Consequences of Opioids: We Can Minimize Opioids! – Michael A. Kelly, M.D., Chairman, Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center

Prescriptions (Transfer of, Changes to, EPCS) – Loren T. Miller, Associate Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

Pharmaceutical Investigations: Cases, Current Trends, and Updates – Jason Capstraw, Special Agent, Pharmaceutical Investigations Section, DEA HQS

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy – Danna E. Droz, J.D., R.Ph., NABP Prescription Monitoring Program Senior Manager

Federation of State Medical Boards – Kelly C. Alfred, M.S., Senior Director, Education Services

Current Crisis/Safe Handling/Disposal of Fentanyl & Heroin – Jason Gordon, Special Agent, Synthetic Drugs & Chemicals Section, DEA HQS

Telemedicine – James A. Arnold, Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

What is DEA Currently Working On? – Thomas D. Sonnen, Policy Analyst, Regulatory Drafting & Policy Support Section

Marijuana/Hemp/The Farm Bill – James A. Arnold, Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

Drug & Chemical Evaluation – Scheduling Actions/Kratom/Cannabinoids – Terrance Boos, Chief, Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section, DEA HQS

Drug Disposal – Lynnette Wingert, Chief, Policy Unit, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

National Emergencies – Loren T. Miller, Associate Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

On the Horizon (PDACs, New EMS Law) – James A. Arnold, Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

Healthcare Fraud (What are We Seeing/Current Trends/Current Schemes) – Michael Cohen, DHSc, J.D., PA-C, Operations Officer, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

CARA (Narcotic Drug Treatment, Partial Fills) – Loren T. Miller, Associate Chief, Liaison & Policy Section, DEA HQS

Opioid Drug Treatment – Karen Hearod, LCSW, SAMHSA Regional Administrator (Region VI)

DEA 360 – Sean Fearns, Chief, Community Outreach Section, DEA HQS