DEA's PROPOSED 1985 AGGREGATE PRODUCTION QUOTA FOR CODEINE (FOR SALE)
Executive Summary
DEA's PROPOSED 1985 AGGREGATE PRODUCTION QUOTA FOR CODEINE (FOR SALE) is 54.05 mil. grams, according to figures published in the Oct. 11 Federal Register. The codeine aggregate production level proposed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is 3.0% above the 52.5 mil. gram level approved by DEA in 1984. The agency proposed a decrease, from 3.58 mil. to 3.53 mil. in the aggregate production quota for codeine (for conversion). In the notice, DEA published its proposals for production quotas for Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances. The agency recommended quota increases for 14 of 35 agents (for list of proposed 1985 production quotas and 1984 quotas, see box below). (FOOTNOTE) Other substances for which DEA proposed increases, include: morphine (for conversion), a 4.7% increase to 58.08 mil. grams; thebaine, up 14.2% to 6.89 mil. grams; morphine (for sale), up 8.8% to 1.14 mil. grams; methadone, up 31.7% to 1.38 mil. grams; and methadone intermediate, up 31.7% to 1.38 mil. grams. The agency explained that in proposing the quotas, it took account of five factors: (1) actual disposals for 1983 and estimates for 1984 and 1985 for each mfr.; (2) projected trends in net disposals; (3) inventory estimates; (4) projected demand; (5) "estimates of change in legitimate medical needs"; (6) "documented diversion." The deadline for comments on the proposed quotas is Nov. 13. Chart omitted.