35-7-1007. Cooperative arrangements; plant eradication programs; research.

(a) The commissioner of drugs and substances control may, in addition to other powers and duties vested in him by this or any other act:

(i) Cooperate with federal and other state agencies in discharging his responsibilities concerning traffic in drugs and substances;

(ii) Arrange for the exchange of information between governmental officials concerning the use and abuse of drugs and substances;

(iii) Coordinate and cooperate in training programs on drugs and substances law-enforcement at the local and state level;

(iv) Conduct programs of eradication aimed at destroying wild or illicit growth of plant species from which controlled drugs and substances may be extracted;

(v) Coordinate and regulate educational programs designed to prevent and deter misuse and abuse of controlled drugs and substances;

(vi) Encourage research into the misuse and abuse of controlled drugs and substances; in connection therewith and in furtherance of his other duties he is authorized to:

(A) Establish methods to assess accurately the effects of controlled drugs and substances and to identify and characterize controlled drugs and substances with potential for abuse;

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

(I) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems, equipment and devices to strengthen the enforcement of this act;

(II) Determine patterns of misuse and abuse of controlled drugs and substances and the social effects thereof; and

(III) Improve methods of preventing, predicting, understanding, and dealing with the misuse and abuse of controlled drugs and substances.

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

(vii) Enter into contracts for educational and research activities without performance bonds;

(viii) Authorize persons engaged in research on the use and effects of drugs and substances to withhold names and other identifying characteristics of persons who are the subjects of such research, such persons who obtain this authorization may not be compelled in any state, civil, criminal, administrative, legislative or other proceeding to identify the subjects of research for which such authorization was obtained;

(ix) Authorize the possession and distribution of controlled drugs and substances by persons engaged in research, persons who obtain such authorization shall be exempt from state prosecution for possession and distribution of drugs and substances to the extent authorized by the commissioner.