§992. Education and research

            A. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy is authorized to carry out educational programs designed to prevent and deter misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances. In connection with such programs it is authorized to:

            (1) Promote better recognition of the problems of misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances within the regulated industry and among interested groups and organizations.

            (2) Assist the regulated industry and interested groups and organizations in contributing to the reduction of misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances.

            (3) Consult with interested groups and organizations to aid them in solving administrative and organizational problems.

            (4) Evaluate procedures, projects, techniques, and controls conducted or proposed as part of educational programs on misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances.

            (5) Disseminate to the industry and the general public the results of research on misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances to promote a better public understanding of what problems exist and what can be done to combat them.

            (6) Assist in the education and training of state and local law enforcement officials in their efforts to control misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances.

            B. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy is authorized to encourage research on misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances. In connection with such research and in furtherance of the enforcement of this Part, it is authorized to:

            (1) Establish methods to assess accurately the effects of controlled dangerous substances and to identify and characterize controlled dangerous substances with potential for abuse.

            (2) Make studies and undertake programs of research to:

            (a) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems, equipment and devices to strengthen the enforcement of this Part.

            (b) Determine patterns of misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances and the social effects thereof.

            (c) Improve methods for preventing, predicting, understanding and dealing with the misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances.

            (3) Enter into contracts with public agencies or institutions of higher education, for the purpose of conducting research, demonstrations, or special projects which bear directly on misuse and abuse of controlled dangerous substances.

            C. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy may authorize persons engaged in research on the use and effects of dangerous substances to withhold the names and other identifying characteristics of persons who are the subjects of such research. Persons who obtain this authorization shall not be compelled in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding to identify the subjects of research for which authorization was obtained.

            D. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy may authorize the possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substances by persons engaged in research in accordance with rules promulgated by the department. Persons who obtained this authorization shall be exempt from state prosecution for possession and distribution of dangerous substances to the extent authorized by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

            E. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, with the concurrence and under the supervision and control of the chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction wherein the program is conducted, may authorize the possession and exhibition for educational purposes only of controlled dangerous substances by persons employed by local and state law enforcement agencies engaged in educational programs in accordance with rules promulgated by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. Persons acting pursuant to this authorization shall be exempt from state and local prosecution for the possession and distribution of dangerous substances to the extent authorized by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy shall coordinate and evaluate the training programs of the various law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the rules promulgated regulating the possession and exhibition of controlled dangerous substances for educational purposes.

            Added by Acts 1972, No. 634, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 786, §5, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 1984, No. 218, §1; Acts 2006, No. 834, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §4.