Law Enforcement Guidance

  • Birgin R, Hardacre P and Burrows D. Law Enforcement Guidance: Prepared for Drug Control and Access to Medicines Consortium APMG. 2010. Sydney
  • Law enforcement personnel can and do hinder access to medical opioids and MAT, but equally can play a key role in reforming and streamlining legitimate access without compromising effective policing of drug diversion. A functioning medical opioids supply and delivery system requires law enforcement officers to differentiate between good medicine and drug trafficking, and to effectively identify and control key sources of diversion. This guide is designed to provide instructive information to all levels of law enforcement, particularly narcotics enforcement at the local, state and national levels, corrective services and custodial officers, and drug regulators. Section 1 of this guide explains the context for a more balanced approach regarding the control of medical opioids, and provides definitions of key subject areas and explanations of important background concepts. Rationale, examples and models are described for later adaptation to specific national contexts. Section 2 presents the experiences of several countries and draws on United Nations (UN) Convention requirements and practical guidance for the law enforcement role in medical opioid supply – from manufacture to storage. Section 3 explains the need for a more considered approach to diversion control and provides some central guidance. Section 4 provides a range of examples of good practice in law enforcement towards improving access to medical opioids and MAT for those in need. Section 5 details ways of improving continuity in medical opioid access for those moving into, and out of, custodial settings. The guide also offers links to relevant supporting documents including those available via the Drug Control and Access to Medicines (DCAM) Consortium website, which centralizes relevant resources.
  • Keywords: Balance, law enforcement, UN system
  • Countries: Australia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Poland, United States of America