You might have heard of a drug being a controlled substance, or being classified as Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V. Unless you’re in the medical field or law enforcement, most people aren’t sure about the difference. Do these labels actually mean anything for the rest of us? And how does the government come up with them, anyway? There are enough different classifications of drugs to fill an encyclopedia, but for the layperson’s purposes, the first thing you need to know is that controlled substances – as defined under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) – are substances that are regulated by state and federal laws. They’re illegal for sale or use by the general public but may be used with a doctor’s prescription. Controlled substances are divided into the five schedules. Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States. As drugs progress up the list to Schedule V, they become less addicted and more medically useful.
The term “potential for abuse” is not defined in the CSA, but a look at the legislative history provides us with some insight into what factors the DEA considers when investigating a drug. In order to have a potential for abuse: there must be evidence that the substance is being taken in large enough amounts to pose a safety concern; there is significant diversion from legitimate drug channels (meaning, for example, that people are buying OxyContin on the street corner rather than obtaining a prescription); people are taking the drug of their own initiative and not on the recommendation of a doctor; or the drug is closely related to another substance that’s already categorized as having a potential for abuse.
Once that potential has been determined, the DEA next considers which schedule to place the drug in. According to the CSA, they must take into account: the drug’s actual or relative potential for abuse; scientific evidence of the drug’s medical effects, if any; the state of current scientific knowledge about the drug; its history and current pattern of abuse; the scope, duration, and significance of abuse; any possible risks to the public’s health; the extent to which the drug is physically or psychologically addictive; and whether it’s an immediate precursor of an already controlled drug (meaning it’s either a principal compound in the manufacture of the drug, or a chemical intermediary used in the manufacture).
Another term you might hear is drugs of concern. Drugs of concern are not currently controlled by the Controlled Substances Act, meaning they don’t belong to a schedule. However, they are determined to pose risks to people who abuse them. An example is DXM, a cough suppressor found in many OTC cold medications, which when taken in very high doses mimics the effects of drugs like PCP and ketamine.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
