24 :21-34 Cooperative arrangements.

24 :21-34  Cooperative arrangements.

   34.   Cooperative arrangements. a. The director may cooperate with federal and other State, county, and municipal law enforcement and other agencies in discharging the director's responsibilities concerning traffic in dangerous substances and in suppressing the abuse of dangerous substances, including but not limited to prescription opioid drugs.  To this end, the director is authorized to:

   (1)   Except as otherwise provided by law, arrange for the exchange of information between government officials concerning the use and abuse of dangerous substances; provided, however, that in no case shall any officer having knowledge by virtue of that individual's office of any such prescription, order, or record divulge such knowledge, except in connection with a prosecution or proceeding in court or before a licensing board or officer to which prosecution or proceeding the person to whom the records relate, is a party;

   (2)   Coordinate and cooperate in training programs on dangerous substances law enforcement at the local and State levels; and

   (3)   Conduct educational programs for: members of the general public; pharmacy permit holders and pharmacists; and health care professionals, mental health practitioners, and practitioners as defined in section 24 of P.L.2007, c.244 (C.45:1-44).

   b.   Results, information, and evidence received from the Drug Enforcement Administration relating to the regulatory functions of P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.), as amended and supplemented, including results of inspections conducted by that agency, may be relied upon and acted upon by the director in conformance with the director's regulatory functions under P.L.1970, c.226, as amended and supplemented.

   L.1970, c.226, s.34; amended 2007, c.244, s.18; 2015, c.34, s.2; 2015, c.74, s.1.