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CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DEFINITIONS

Controlled Substances are drugs or other chemicals that have the potential to be addictive or habit forming. The Drug Enforcement Administration has divided the Controlled Substances into 5 schedules based on their potential to be habit forming and usefulness in medicine as a drug. For a more comprehensive listing, see Appendix A.

A. Schedule I

These drugs, or other substances, have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and have an accepted lack of safety under medical supervision.

B. Schedule II

These drugs or other substances have a high potential for abuse; currently have an accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.

C. Schedule III

These drugs or other substances have a potential for abuse less that Schedule I or II, with currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Schedule III drugs may lead to moderate or low physical and high psychological dependence.

D. Schedule IV

These drugs or other substances have a low potential for abuse relative to those listed in Schedule III. These drugs have currently accepted medical use in the United States, and abuse of them may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to those in Schedule III.

E. Schedule V

These drugs or other substances have a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule IV. These drugs have currently accepted medical use in the United States, and abuse of them may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to those in Schedule IV.

Responsibilities

Controlled Substance Program