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The DEA does not investigate physicians merely for prescribing large volumes of narcotic drugs. It will, however, investigate when credible evidence indicates that a physician is prescribing in bulk outside established boundaries of legitimate medical practice set by his or her peers.

Second, Mr. Kaufman's story gave little explanation of the compelling reason why such investigations have become an enforcement priority for the DEA: Lives are at stake . The Post itself recently published a five-part series on the rapid growth of drug diversion and fraud it described as "creating a wide-open drug bazaar that endangers public health" [front page, Oct 19-24].

The DEA is committed to effective diversion enforcement and will continue to responsibly protect patients and communities from the costs of narcotics abuse.

KAREN P. TANDY
Administrator
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington

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