Drug Enforcement Agency Assignment
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in America is a Federal institution with the mandate to fight the trade in illegal drugs. The DEA uses its agents to track and apprehend the most notorious individuals or organizations involved in illegal drug dealing and trafficking. The Agency, established under the Department of Justice, is tasked with stopping illegal drug distribution and trafficking within America’s borders and even abroad (Drug Enforcement Agency, 2021). In particular, the United States is concerned about dangerous drugs such as narcotics.
As such, the DEA must ensure that citizens and foreigners in America adhere to Federal laws that regulate the manufacture, use, and supply of drugs. As for PMHNP, its main duty is to make sure that the prescription of drugs in America is done by professionally qualified individuals who have the appropriate certification and authority from the DEA.
Role of DEA Agent
As a Federal agent who has obtained a DEA number, my responsibilities include conducting investigations on the illegal drug trade. My most important duty is to conduct surveillance on suspected drug dealers and traffickers with the aim of making arrests. Other duties of DEA agents include tracking and arresting illegal drug dealers and working in liaison with other law enforcement agencies in coordinating arrests of suspected drug dealers (Ricart, 2018). The major objective of DEA officers is to investigate and detect criminal drug use and distribution to curb the activity.
How to Apply for DEA Number
The Drug Enforcement Agency provides two methods of obtaining a DEA number. The first method is by presenting oneself to a local DEA office and filling the form. The second method of obtaining a DEA number is through the online process (The American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2021). The form is available at www.Deaiversion.usdoj.gov. Three days after performing the registration, the applicant can inquire from the DEA about the status of their application.
Requirements for Safe Prescription and Monitoring Program in Maryland State
Maryland State has numerous laws and policies that govern the manufacture, use, supply, and distribution of restricted drugs. The purpose of the intervention is to curb the misuse of illegal drugs. In Maryland, individuals charged with the responsibility of drug prescription must be licensed through registration with Chesapeake regional information system. Any prescription made for controlled drugs requires the prescriber to take the details of the person the drug is prescribed to and send the information to the State. The information contains personal details of the patient/customer as well as the reason for prescribing the drug.
My Role as a PMHPN
As a PMHPN, my main role is to assess patients with mental disorders and offer a diagnosis, appropriate therapy, and prescription of medication. Other important roles by psychiatric nurse practitioners include monitoring of psychotropic medication, conducting intake screening of patients, and diagnosing and treating patients with mental disorders. Moreover, as a PMHNP, I am responsible for educating patients and their families about the importance of mental health awareness and intervention. In the prescription of medicine, it is my duty as a PMHNP to observe all the laws and regulations about drug use. For patients that may require to use restricted drugs such as opioids, I carefully examine such need to ensure that its use is warranted after which I prescribe the appropriate dosages based on the needs of the patient.
Drug Classification and Schedules
In America, drugs are classified according to the level of effectiveness, probability of addiction, and the probability of abuse.
Schedule II Drugs
The drugs in this category are those with a high likelihood of abuse leading to acute dependence either physically or psychologically. The drugs under this schedule are classified as drugs with high medical value. Excellent examples of controlled drugs under schedule II include fentanyl, OxyContin, methadone, and Demerol. Excellent examples of stimulants under drug schedule II include Amphetamine, also called Dexedrine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate.
Schedule III Drugs
The drugs under this category have less potential for abuse compared to those in category II. However, abuse of these drugs leads to moderate dependence psychologically and physically. As a PMHPN, a popular drug that I occasionally prescribe for cancer patients and patients with mental problems includes ketamine and Vicodin, which contains a combination of other products measuring less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone for each dosage (Stith et al., 2018). Common examples of narcotic drugs under this schedule include buprenorphine Tylenol mixed with Codeine.
Schedule IV Drugs Controlled Substances
The medicines under this class can become addictive if abused. However, the level of dependency on drugs in this category is much lower for all other drugs in Schedules II, and III. Examples of popular drugs used by PMHPN nurses include Tramadol, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan.
Schedule V Drugs
These are drugs that have an extremely limited number of restricted drugs. Chances of abuse and dependency are extremely rare for drugs in this category. The most common drug under this category that I can recommend to a patient is Lamotil, which is an effective drug for containing all cases of diarrhea.
Conclusion
In sum, the DEA is tasked with the role of tracking and apprehending illegal drug dealers in the United States. A licensed DEA officer is mandated by law to investigate, track, and arrest individuals dealing in illegal trade in drugs. In relation to applying for a DEA number, there are two main procedures, physical application at the DEA office and application through online. As a qualified PMNHP, one must be familiar with the regulations relating to Schedule II, III, IV and V drugs for effective prescription. For instance, Schedule II drugs are the most effective narcotic drugs which also have the highest rate of abuse and dependency, hence must be prescribed sparingly and with reasonable cause.
References
- Drug Enforcement Agency. (2021). Our Mission. Dea.gov. Retrieved 3 March 2021, from https://www.dea.gov/mission.
- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2021). How to Get Information About Obtaining a DEA Number. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved 3 March 2021, from https://www.aanp.org/practice/practice-management/business-resources-for-nurse-practitioners/how-to-order-a-dea-number.
- Ricart, C. A. P. (2018). The Role of the DEA in the Emergence of the Field of Anti-narcotics Policing in Latin America. Global Governance, 24(2), 169-191. DOI: 10.1163/19426720-02402002
- Stith, S. S., Vigil, J. M., Adams, I. M., & Reeve, A. P. (2018). Effects of legal access to cannabis on scheduled ii–v drug prescriptions. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 19(1), 59-64. DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.07.017