Agency Information Collection Activities: New Collection; Comment Request

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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Office of Management and Budget approval is being sought for the

information collection listed below. This proposed information

collection was previously published in the Federal Register on March

14, 1997 at 62 FR 12250, allowing for a 60-day public comment period.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for

public comments until July 16, 1997. This process is conducted in

accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained

in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and

associated

[[Page 32657]]

response time should be directed to the Office of Management and

Budget, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice

Desk Office, Washington DC 20530. Additionally, comments may be

submitted to OMB via facsimile to (202) 395-7285. 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. Additionally, comments may be

submitted to DOJ via facsimile at (202) 514-1590.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected

agencies concerning the proposed collection of information 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.

Overview of this information collection:

1. Type of Information Collection: New Collection.

2. Title of the Form/Collection: Collection of laboratory analysis

data on drug samples tested by non-Federal (state and local government)

crime laboratories also known as National Forensic Laboratory

Information System (NFLIS);

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. 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.

If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B.

Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,

Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division,

Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: June 10, 1997.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.

[FR Doc. 97-15678 Filed 6-13-97; 8:45 am]

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