In addition to getting approval from the state and federal agencies, diversion would also require the assent of the counties, the governor and the towns that would be affected.
"Basically, it was old news," said Mike Lewis, then the agency's diversion program manager in L.A. The doctors were "people we were already actively investigating or cases we had taken action on".
Gary Boggs, executive assistant in the office of diversion control at D.E.A. headquarters in Washington, said the agency hoped to coordinate national drug take-back days twice a year until federal law allows other options for safe prescription drug disposal.
"OxyContin has led to a whole resurgence of pill mills," said Terry Woodworth, the deputy director of the drug agency's division of diversion control, which monitors trafficking in controlled substances.
"D.E.A. is extremely concerned that many doctors are prescribing this strong narcotic as an initial treatment for many types of pain and that is a result of how it has been promoted," said Mr. Woodworth, the deputy director of the agency's office of diversion control.
The HHS revisions will "provide a balance between expanding the supply of this important treatment, encouraging use of evidence-based MAT, and minimizing the risk of drug diversion," the agency said in a press release.
Lacey, who is heading up a group of leaders from different agencies focused on expanding diversion programs, called the issue a "moral question".
The ASBL has won a series of lawsuits against the SBA forcing the release of information that proves the SBA was one of the agencies responsible for the diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 companies and thousands of large businesses around the world.
"This legislation's modification of environmental laws not only sets a troubling precedent, but also pressures federal and state agencies to increase diversions from an increasingly damaged ecosystem that is close to a devastating collapse," the statement read.
For each diversion, the transit agency has to shut off power for the affected subway tracks, move workers to and from the site, and provide alternative service for passengers.
From its headquarters in Vienna, the agency monitors the globe for potential diversions of nuclear materials from civil to military programs.
