Inspector General Finds DEA Slow to Respond to Opioid Crisis

The Drug Enforcement Administration could have done more to combat the opioid crisis, according to the DOJ’s Office of Inspector General. 

The DEA failed to adequately vet new applicants wanting to handle controlled substances before granting registrations, the OIG found.

The report also found that the DEA has not used its Immediate Suspension Order authority to stop registrants from diverting prescription drugs since 2013.

The OIG called for a criminal background check of all new registrant applicants and for electronic prescribing for all controlled substance prescriptions.