From: ap.2481@cupid.sai.com (Anonymous)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: [anonymous] CSA: The U.S. Controlled Substances Act
Keywords: anonymous
Date: 26 Sep 92 06:42:31 GMT
Reply-To: ap.2481@cupid.sai.com
Organization: Somewhere
Originator: lamontg@hardy.u.washington.edu



__________________________________________________

U.S. Drug Abuse Regulation and Control Act of 1970
__________________________________________________

(Controlled Substances Act and other supply control mechanisms)


1. Purpose and scope:

The "Controlled Substances Act," as it is referred to, is designed to limit
and control access to drugs that can make you "high" or intoxicated in a
pleasant way, and also is now used to control certain other drugs of abuse
such as anabolic steroids used by athletes to increase muscle mass. It is
a law over and above the "Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act" and the "Durham-
Humphrey" laws that designate drugs as prescription only or over the counter
and freely available to the public. Thus, a prescription drug may or may not
also be a "controlled substance". The FDA decides which drugs are prescription,
while the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) decides which drugs are
controlled substances. The Controlled Substances Act replaced, in 1970, the
"Harrison Narcotic Act" which preceded it. The newer act allows for finer
control of drugs of abuse, since it uses 5 categories instead of 3. Along with
the Controlled Substances Act were harsher prison sentences, new DEA registra-
tion numbers for all prescribers or drug handlers, and other additions that
are beyond the scope of this file. Most states have passed laws that mirror
the Controlled Substances Act, although from state to state there are
differences and peculiarities. As a rule, a state can add restrictions
to the federal Act, but almost never reverses or reduces them. Pharmacies
and doctors must conform to all applicable laws within their jurisdiction.


2. Controlled Substances labelling symbols:

Federal law provides for all legally manufactured drug containers (such as
pharmacist stock bottles, not individual prescription vials) to contain one
of two symbols if the product is regulated under the Controlled Substances
Act. This symbol must be placed either in the upper right corner of the label,
or in half-tone over the face of the label. It consists of either the symbol
C-II (roman numerals II through V) or a large letter "C" with the roman numeral
inscribed inside it, such as:
                                 _____
                                /                                    /   ---            which is the symbol for a
                             |    | |            Schedule II substance. The
                             |    | |            roman numeral II could be
                              \   ---            replaced by a III, IV, or V
                                \ ____ /         for other drugs.


Almost all Controlled Substances are also prescription drugs; they are a
subset of prescription drugs. The labelling of prescription drugs differs
from the Controlled Substances. Assigned by the FDA, they are officially
referred to as "legend drugs" because the law requires every prescription
drug label to bear the legend, or message:

	Caution:  Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription.

Veterinary prescription drugs bear the different legend:

	Caution:  Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the
	order of a licensed veterinarian.

If a veterinary drug is a Controlled Substance, it uses the same symbols
as do drugs for humans.

In addition to the above, an old U.S. law requires narcotic analgesics and
some barbiturates to carry the legend:

	Warning:  May be habit forming.

On individual patient prescription vials, none of the above legends are
necessary. In their place, the following message must be inserted:

	Caution:  Federal law prohibits the transfer of this drug to any
	person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed.

Some pharmacy labels are lazy and put this legend on all their labels,
even though its use is limited to Controlled Substances.


In other countries other schemes are used. For instance, in Canada all
prescription drugs must have a "Pr" in a square to the immediate left of
the brand or generic name on the label. Some U.S. prescription drugs bear
the legend in hard-to-find places, such as on the side of the label. Unlike
this, the Controlled Substances symbols are always easy-to-find.
____________________________________________________________________________

3. Key to Controlled Substances Categories [Schedules I - V]

Products listed with the symbols shown below are subject to the Controlled
Substances Act of 1970.  These drugs are categorized according to the
potential for abuse as perceived by the government and tradition. The
greater the perceived potential for abuse, the more severe the limitations
on their prescription (by being in a numerically lower Schedule).

BASICALLY, THE LOWER THE NUMBER (OF THE DRUG SCHEDULE), THE HEAVIER ARE
THE CONTROLS FOR IT.

Category    Interpretation

C-I     The PDR does not list any schedule I drugs so they do not
        describe this schedule.  Basically, this schedule contains
        drugs with the highest abuse potential that have no accepted
        medicinal value.  No one is allowed to possess or prescribe these
        drugs, except in the performance of licensed research. Legal
	source of Schedule I substances is via NIH licensure and then
	by ordering from Sigma or certain other chemical supply companies.
	Marijuana cigarettes (joints) are produced solely on a high-
	security farm in Mississippi (Univ. of Miss.). The problem with
	Schedule I is that drugs of VARYING abuse potential are all
	lumped together because of the prohibition of legitimate medical
	use in the U.S.

C-II    High potential for abuse.  Use may lead to severe physical or
        psychological dependence.  Prescription must be written in ink,
        or typewritten and signed by the practioner.  Verbal
        prescriptions must be confirmed in writing within 72 hours,
        and may be given only in a genuine emergency.  NO REFILLS are
        permitted, and many states require a special narcotic prescription
	form, to curtail prescription forgery and fraud. In addition to
	the above, the DEA places QUOTAS on the absolute quantity of
	Schedule II drugs that can be manufactured or imported in each
	given year. The quotas, more than anything else, make it hard
	to illegally obtain Schedule II drugs, since there is little
	around at any point in time. It also means that physicians have
	trouble prescribing Schedule II drugs, since if too many doctors
	prescribed them, the current supply would be depleted. This takes
	the judgement on the use of these drugs out of the hands of doctors
	and put into the control of the U.S. government. Often Schedule II
	drugs are underprescribed, leading to unjustified suffering by patients.

C-III   Some potential for abuse.  Use may lead to low-to-moderate
        physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
        Prescriptions may be oral or written.  Up to 5 renewals are
        permitted within 6 months, if permitted in the prescription.
	Usually, however, Schedule III prescriptions carry no refills.

C-IV    Low potential for abuse.  Use may lead to limited physical or
        psychological dependence.  Prescriptions may be oral or
        written.  Up to 5 renewals are permitted within 6 months,
	if permitted in the prescription. Note that Schedule III and
	IV drugs are generally of the same level of control and abuse
	liability.

C-V     Subject to state and local regulation.  Abuse potential is
        low; a prescription may not be required.  IF permitted by
        state and local law, certain Schedule V products may be sold
	as "exempt narcotics" without a physician's order. Persons
	must be over 18 years of age, and must provide their name,
	address, and signature for permanent record in a book designated
	for this purpose. Sale is at the pharmacist's discretion, and
	cannot be more frequent than once per 48 hours.


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