DEA To Conduct Pharmacy Diversion Awareness Conference In Wilmington To Address The Diversion Of Prescription Opioids And Link To Heroin Abuse
Event will take place on March 19th & 20th, 2016
PHILADELPHIA - Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Philadelphia Field Division announced today that the DEA will host a Pharmacy Diversion Awareness (PDAC) in Wilmington, Delaware as part of the DEA’s mission to address prescription opioid and heroin abuse.
The diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances, specifically prescription opioids, is a growing problem. This diversion stems from various sources. In addition to pharmacy robberies and thefts, pharmaceutical controlled substances are often diverted by way of forged prescriptions, doctor shoppers, or illegitimate prescriptions from rogue practitioners. The PDAC is designed to assist pharmacy personnel in identifying and preventing diversion activity.
“Eight out of ten new heroin users started by abusing prescription opioids,” said Tuggle, who advised that the DEA office in Wilmington seized approximately 48,800 bags of heroin in February 2016 - the largest seizure of pre-packaged heroin in Delaware history. “Speaking with pharmacy personnel about the link between the non-medical use of prescription opioids and heroin abuse at the PDAC is a key component of the DEA’s mission to protect the public from the scourge of illegal drugs.”
The PDAC is a free training offered to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and loss prevention personnel employed by pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics that are registered with the DEA. This one-day training, which will be offered on March 19th and March 20th, will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel located at 700 North King Street in Wilmington from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Members of the media wanting additional information about the PDAC are asked to contact DEA Public Information Officer/Special Agent Patrick J. Trainor at (215) 852-8740 or patrick.j.trainor@usdoj.gov.
