Massachusetts legal group says labs need more oversight

BOSTON — The state could face another drug lab crisis if it doesn’t put significant reforms in place, including the creation of an independent audit process, the Boston Bar Association said in a report released Monday.

The BBA, a membership organization of about 10,000 attorneys, said more oversight is needed to make sure the state doesn’t have a repeat of the crisis caused by former state chemist Annie Dookhan, whose misconduct at a state drug lab has jeopardized thousands of drug convictions.