The Controlled Substances Act of 1970
The modern system of drug scheduling was established by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. This federal law organized controlled substances into five categories, or "schedules," to regulate their manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), created in 1973, is primarily responsible for the enforcement of these laws and the evaluation and designation of controlled substances into their respective schedules. The core factors considered for a drug's classification are its potential for abuse, its currently accepted medical use, and its potential for physical or psychological dependence.
Schedule I: High Potential for Abuse, No Medical Use
Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical treatment use in the United States. There is also a lack of accepted safety for their use, even under medical supervision. Abuse can lead to severe psychological or physical harm.
Examples of Schedule I Drugs:
- Heroin
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
- Marijuana (Cannabis)
- Ecstasy (MDMA)
Schedule II: High Potential for Abuse, Accepted Medical Use
Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse but do have accepted medical uses, though often with severe restrictions. Abuse of these substances can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
Examples of Schedule II Drugs:
- Opioids such as Fentanyl, Oxycodone (OxyContin), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and hydrocodone products with less than 15 mg of hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Stimulants including Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), and Dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
Schedule III: Moderate to Low Potential for Abuse
Schedule III drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedules I and II. They have an accepted medical use, and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Examples include products with less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, Ketamine, and Anabolic Steroids.
Schedule IV: Low Potential for Abuse
Schedule IV drugs have a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III substances. They have an accepted medical use, and abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to Schedule III. Examples include Benzodiazepines like Alprazolam (Xanax), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), and Sedatives such as Zolpidem (Ambien).
Schedule V: Lowest Potential for Abuse
Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for abuse relative to Schedule IV substances. They primarily consist of preparations with limited quantities of certain narcotics, often used for cough, diarrhea, or pain relief. Abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to Schedule IV. Examples include Cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters (e.g., Robitussin AC) and Lomotil.
Comparison of DEA Drug Schedules
| Feature | Schedule I | Schedule II | Schedule III | Schedule IV | Schedule V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abuse Potential | Highest | High | Moderate to Low | Low | Lowest |
| Accepted Medical Use | No | Yes (with severe restrictions) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dependence Potential | Severe physical & psychological | Severe physical & psychological | Moderate to low physical, high psychological | Limited physical & psychological | Limited physical & psychological |
| Prescription Rules | Not available for prescription | Prescription required; no refills without new prescription | Prescription required; refills limited (up to 5 in 6 months) | Prescription required; refills limited (up to 5 in 6 months) | Prescription may not be required; refills limited (up to 5 in 6 months) |
| Storage | Strict security; separate storage | Strict security; separate storage | Secure storage; may be separate or readily retrievable | Secure storage; may be separate or readily retrievable | Secure storage; may be separate or readily retrievable |
The Role of Regulatory Oversight and Legal Impact
The DEA's drug scheduling system is crucial for controlling access to substances and minimizing misuse. A substance's schedule impacts legal penalties for unauthorized activities, manufacturing requirements, and storage security. Research on Schedule I drugs is highly regulated. The scheduling system can change; rescheduling involves reviews by federal agencies like the FDA and DEA, based on scientific evidence.
Conclusion
Drug scheduling is a fundamental part of controlled substance regulation in the U.S., balancing medical benefits with abuse potential and dependence risks. The five schedules provide a framework for managing narcotics, stimulants, and other controlled substances. The system aims to protect public health by managing controlled substance risks.
One authoritative outbound link: Drug Scheduling by DEA.gov
