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Politics & Government

Livermore Lab Slammed for Sloppy Management of Dangerous Drugs

Inspector General finds risk for theft and misuse of controlled substances at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Inattentive management practices at could lead to the misuse and theft of heroin, cocaine and other controlled substances used in research at the Livermore-based facility, according to a report from the Department of Energy’s Office of the Inspector General.

The report issued Feb. 10 found lax oversight of inventory and handling procedures for 42 controlled substances used in bio-medical research and forensic science. The substances include black tar heroin, cocaine, phencyclidine (angel dust) and steroids.

No direct evidence of lost or stolen drugs was found during an on-site inspection. But, federal inspectors found lab personnel could not accurately account for the quantities of at least six of 33 controlled substances received, stored and used by its analytical lab.

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The qualities involved were one gram or less for all but two compounds, noted lab spokesperson James A. Bono. The lab could not account for 192 grams of chloral hydrate, a sedative, and 82 grams of ephedrine hydrochloride, a weight-loss diet pill.

The agents are kept in stock at the lab as controls for the chemical identification of suspected controlled substances for law enforcement agencies. They are also relevant to Homeland Security efforts, Bono said.

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The report criticized lab officials for inattention to internal policy development, guidance and record-keeping. No internal procedures or tracking requirements were found for conducting inventories or ensuring the integrity of drug storage.

Such management lapses may place the lab out of compliance with federal regulations covering the management and control of such drugs, the report warned.

The lab announced in a written statement it has or will implement the IG report’s recommendations and is working with the National Security Administration oversight office and DEA on the issues raised.

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