BOSTON, June 2 /PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc. United
States Attorney Donald K. Stern announced today that the
United States has filed a civil complaint against Dr. Anthony J.
Benison, D.M.D. of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The complaint
alleges that Dr. Benison committed numerous violations of the
security and recordkeeping requirements of the Comprehensive
Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act (the "Act"). The
complaint seeks up to a $25,000 penalty for each and every
violation.

The case against Dr. Benison is part of an ongoing effort by the
United States Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement
Administration to make sure that those handling controlled
substances comply with the record keeping requirements of the
Act and thereby reduce the potential for improper diversion of the
drugs.

In this case, the United States claims that Benison: improperly
disposed of controlled substances by placing them in an
unsecured dumpster in which children were later seen playing;
failed to complete properly and maintain inventories of controlled
substances he obtained; failed to maintain or properly complete
records of what was done with controlled substances he
obtained; and failed to institute proper controls and procedures to
guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances.

U.S. Attorney Stern stated: "Any doctor or dentist who obtains
controlled substances must take special care to make sure that
these drugs are not diverted to illicit use. Proper records of the
receipt and distribution of controlled substances must be
maintained, and the regulations on safe disposal must be
followed. The risks in disposing of drugs in an unlocked dumpster
that children have access to, as occurred here, are both obvious
and enormous. This is why we will continue to insist on strict
compliance with the Controlled Substance Act."

This case is the result of an investigation undertaken by the Drug
Enforcement Administration. The case is being handled by
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kanwit of Stern's Civil Division.

SOURCE U.S. Attorney's Office

/CONTACT: Joy Fallon or Amy Rindskopf of U.S. Attorney's
Office, 6172239445/

[Copyright 1997, PR Newswire]