Controlled substance

Controlled Substance refers to a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of part B of this subchapter. The term does not include distilled spirits, wine, malt beverages, or tobacco, as those terms are defined or used in subtitle E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Definition

A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by a government, such as illicitly used drugs or prescription medications that are designated by law.

Classification

Controlled substances are classified into five schedules by the United States Controlled Substances Act based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and accepted safety under medical supervision.

• Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use. Examples include heroin, LSD, and marijuana.
• Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse but have accepted medical use. Examples include morphine, oxycodone, and amphetamine.
• Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I or II drugs and have an accepted medical use. Examples include anabolic steroids and codeine.
• Schedule IV drugs have a low potential for abuse and have accepted medical use. Examples include diazepam and alprazolam.
• Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for abuse and have accepted medical use. Examples include cough preparations containing not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams.

Regulation

Controlled substances are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the United States. The DEA enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States by prosecuting violators of these laws and by preventing the illicit trafficking of controlled substances.

See also

• Drug Enforcement Administration
• United States Controlled Substances Act
• Drug abuse
• Drug addiction

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