[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 12250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6514]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: New Collection; Comment 
Request

ACTION: Notice of information collection under review; Collection of 
laboratory analysis data on drug samples tested by non-Federal (state 
and local government) crime laboratories.

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    The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments 
from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will 
be accepted until May 13, 1997.
    We are requesting written comments and suggestions from the public 
and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of 
information. Your comments should address one or more of the following 
four points:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    Comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this 
notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated 
response time should be directed to Mr. Frank L. Sapienza, Chief, Drug 
and Chemical Evaluation Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug 
Enforcement Administration, Washington, D.C. 20537. Telephone: (202) 
307-7183; or Fax: (202) 307-8570. If you have additional comments, 
suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection 
instrument with instructions, or additional information, please contact 
Mr. Frank L. Sapienza.
    Additionally, comments may also be submitted to the Department of 
Justice (DOJ), Justice Management Division, Information Management and 
Security Staff, Attention: Department Clearance Officer, Suite 850, 
Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20530. Additional 
comments may be submitted to DOJ via facsimile at 202-514-1590.
    Overview of this information collection:
    1. Type of Information Collection: New Collection.
    2. Title of the Form/Collection: Collection of analyzed drug data 
from non-Federal forensic crime laboratories.
    3. Agency form number: None; Applicable component of the Department 
of Justice sponsoring the collection: Office of Diversion Control, Drug 
Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.
    4. Affected public who will be asked to respond, as well as a brief 
abstract: Primary: State and local crime laboratories. Other: None.
    DEA is required under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) [21 
U.S.C. 811 (b)] to gather data relevant to a determination of the 
actual or relative abuse potential of drugs. Existing Federal drug 
abuse data bases do not provide the type or quality of information 
necessary to accomplish this task in a timely and efficient manner. 
Non-Federal crime laboratories conduct chemical analyses on a 
significantly larger number of illicit drug samples than DEA's seven 
laboratories. The non-Federal analyzed drug data is an untapped 
resource which would give DEA a very comprehensive representation of 
drug trafficking in the U.S. This data has the highest degree of 
validity because it is verified by chemical analysis. DEA is 
coordination this voluntary, cooperative program to provide a 
centralized source of analyzed laboratory drug data. Participating 
laboratories and other government agencies will be permitted to access 
part of the data base.
    5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 330 respondents at 
12 times per year at 8 hours per response.
    6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 31,680 annual burden hours.
    Public comment on this proposed information collection is strongly 
encouraged.

    Dated: March 11, 1997.
Robert B. Briggs,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 97-6514 Filed 3-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-M