Civil Unrest Q&A: Moving of Controlled Substances (Practitioners)

Drug Enforcement Administration
Diversion Control Division
Civil Unrest Emergency Guidance Document
Title: Civil Unrest-Rioting-Looting Q&A (Practitioner’s Medical/Dental/Veterinary Office)
Question: I am a practitioner and store controlled substances at my practice/DEA registered location. If
my registered location was damaged due to looting/rioting or I anticipate that it may be damaged or
looted, can I move my controlled substances to another location?
Answer: Yes, you may modify your DEA registration and change your address to another location, or to
your mailing address, provided it is a physical location and not a Post Office box, if state law
permits. You may modify your registration on-line at www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov. 21 CFR 1301.51.
If an emergency is ongoing, DEA is exercising its flexibility to allow you to move your controlled
substances to the new location prior to the submission of your DEA registration modification. You must
continue to comply with all security and recordkeeping requirements, including, but not limited to, 21
CFR 1301.75(b), which requires you to store all controlled substances in a securely locked, substantially
constructed cabinet.
Further questions can be directed to your local DEA Field Office. Your local DEA Field Office can be
located at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/Inside.html#contact_us.
Guidance documents, like this document, are not binding and lack the force and effect of law, unless
expressly authorized by statute or expressly incorporated into a contract, grant, or cooperative
agreement. Consistent with Executive Order 13891 and the Office of Management and Budget
implementing memoranda, the Department will not cite, use, or rely on any guidance document that is not
accessible through the Department’s guidance portal, or similar guidance portals for other Executive
Branch departments and agencies, except to establish historical facts. To the extent any guidance
document sets out voluntary standards (e.g., recommended practices), compliance with those standards is
voluntary, and noncompliance will not result in enforcement action. Guidance documents may be
rescinded or modified in the Department’s complete discretion, consistent with applicable laws.
EO-DEA155, June 9, 2020