The DEA implements and enforces titles
II and III of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
Act of 1970, Pub. L. No. 91-513, 84 Stat. 1242 (1970), as amended
(the “CSA”). 21 U.S.C. 801–971. Through the enactment of the CSA
and its amendments, Congress established a closed system of
distribution making it unlawful to handle any controlled substance
except in a manner authorized by the CSA. In order to maintain this
closed system of distribution, the CSA generally requires all
persons who handle controlled substances to obtain a registration
issued by the Attorney General. 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, and
958.
Changes reflect population
adjustments and greater use of online applications, which take less
time to complete. Although there was a slight increase in the
percentage of applicants applying online, having a greater number
of respondents from October 2017 to September 2018 results in a net
increase in the annual burden hours. Although practitioners are
registered for a three-year cycle and the number of registrants is
not equally distributed between years of the cycle, October 1, 2017
to September 30, 2018 is a reasonable approximation of the average
annual burden as it is very close to the average of the three
years. Additionally, the growth rate in the number of practitioners
is low enough where the actual numbers for this period would not be
materially different from the number expected for the next several
years. Although there is a small increase in the burden hours, the
increase in the annual cost is attributed to the mean hourly wage
increase of physicians and surgeons. There have been no statutory
or regulatory changes affecting this information collection.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.