DEA joins HHS, ONDCP for listening session with nationwide drug prescribers to discuss concerns and solutions

WASHINGTON – DEA’s head of Diversion Control today joined with senior Department of Health &

Human Services and Office of National Drug Control Policy officials to host a listening session with health

care provider groups who represent drug prescribers nationwide. The purpose of the summit was to hear

concerns and develop positive solutions to the issues these providers often face.

“DEA views the nearly 1.8 million registrants across the country as our partners and it is our duty and

obligation to ensure their voices are heard,” said John J. Martin, DEA Deputy Administrator who heads the

Office of Diversion Control Division. “Part of DEA’s regulatory and enforcement responsibilities must

include productive, ongoing dialogue with these provider groups. These efforts improve our transparency,

increase communication and help law enforcement understand the many challenges these providers face.”

The groups attending today’s listening session include:

American Medical Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Physician Assistants
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Society of Addiction Medicine
American Academy of Pain Medicine
National Association of Community Health Centers
American Pharmacists Association
American College of Emergency Physicians
National Council for Behavioral Health
Federation of State Medical Boards

Today’s meeting continues DEA’s aggressive outreach to heath care providers, registrants, pharmacy

groups, and many others who have partnered with law enforcement in addressing critical issues such as the

nationwide opioid epidemic. DEA regularly hosts Practitioner Diversion Awareness Conferences around

the country to educate doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other medical professionals on proper

prescribing and their critical role as registrants in protecting the public and fulfilling their critical duties as

part of the Controlled Substances Act.