Question

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the federal law enforcement ago. under the Department of Justice that is tasked with eliminating drug trafficking and distribution. One of the many laws that they enforce is the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, passed in 1987. This act established safe guidelines for distributing prescription drugs and discouraged the sale of counterfeit drugs. By the late 1990s, there was a rising epidemic in the abuse of a wide category of pain relief drugs. By 2005, the DEA realized traditional enforcement against individual doctors and pharmacies was no longer effective and they began to investigate drug wholesale companies. These companies were distributing hundreds of millions of highly addictive prescription medications to doctors, clinics, and pharmacies. DEA investigators filed civil cases against questionable distributors, issued orders to suspend the flow of drugs and, in some cases, imposed fines. In 2011, there were 131 civil court filings against distributors, manufacturers, pharmacies, and doctors. In response to this increase in the prosecution of drug wholesale companies, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and some members of Congress worked to create a new law that would require a higher standard of proof from investigators before cases could move forward. As a result, the number of case filings dropped to 40 in 2014.

Answer 1

The DEA enforces the Prescription Drug Marketing Act to ensure the safe distribution of prescription drugs and prevent the sale of counterfeits. As opioid abuse rose, it broadened its strategy to include wholesalers, but changes to prosecution requirements in 2014 lowered the number of civil case filings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) plays a crucial role in combating drug trafficking and distribution within the United States. As part of its duties, the DEA enforces several laws, including the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987, which seeks to ensure the safe distribution of prescription medications and to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs. Over the years, the DEA has had to adapt its enforcement strategies, especially in the face of the late 1990s epidemic involving the abuse of pain relief drugs.

By 2005, the agency shifted its focus to investigate drug wholesale companies responsible for distributing large quantities of addictive prescription medications. This led to an increase in civil case filings against various entities involved in the pharmaceutical industry. However, legislative changes sought by industry representatives and lawmakers raised the burden of proof required by DEA investigators, which resulted in a significant drop in the number of case filings from 131 in 2011 to just 40 in 2014.

Individuals seeking more information about the DEA's efforts and the broader issues of drug abuse and enforcement can visit the government agency website, which provides access to current news, resources, and topics of interest related to drugs. The site also offers insights into careers within the DEA and has a tip hotline for reporting illegal drug activities. For those researching historical legislation and enforcement efforts, the Library of Congress serves as a vital resource with a comprehensive repository of manuscripts, files, information, pictures, and videos.