February 12, 2015

Drug Classification

A drug is a substance that is designed to affect the body either physically or psychologically

Controlled substances are all drugs whose use and/or possession are somehow restricted by law.

Definitions

Name a controlled substance.

Name a drug that is not a controlled substance.

Categorizes drugs into 5 “schedules” based upon potential for abuse and whether or not there are accepted medical reasons for using them

Schedule 1 is most dangerous

Criminal penalties are defined – more or less – for possession or use drugs in each schedule

Controlled Substances

Act

Controlled Substances Act schedules

Place these drugs in the correct group!

Ambien – Anabolic steroids – Cocaine – Codeine – Ecstasy - Heroin – Marijuana – Methamphetamine – Ritalin – Robitussin AC -Vicodin – Valium –

Controlled Substances Act schedules

Place these drugs in the correct group!

Ambien – IVAnabolic steroids – IIICocaine – IICodeine – IIEcstasy - IHeroin – IMarijuana – IMethamphetamine – IIRitalin – IIRobitussin AC - VVicodin – IIIValium – IV

Marijuana is a schedule 1 drug, despite the mounting (but still inconclusive) evidence that it has medical benefits.

Alcohol and nicotine are not scheduled at all (despite the fact that there are laws regarding their sale, possession, and use and they are considered controlled substances).

Why might this be?

Surprising aspects to the DEA Controlled Substance Schedules

Hallucinogens Change normal thought processes, perceptions,

and moods Examples: marijuana, LSD, PCP, ecstasy, ketamine

Stimulants Increase energy and alertness, decrease appetite Examples: caffeine, methamphetamines,

cocaine, nicotine

Narcotics / Analgesics Relieve pain Examples: ibuprofen, codeine, heroin, oxycodon

(Percocet)

Depressants Reduce stimulation / functioning of brain Examples: alcohol, barbiturates, valium

Classification by pharmacological

effect

Fentanyl Used in combination with other medicines as an

anesthetic during surgery or used as a patch for chronic pain management

100 times stronger than morphine Many ‘designer drugs’ are based off of it (e.g. China

White)CAS schedule: Pharmological group:

Adderall Used for ADHD and narcolepsy Improves mental performance Common drug of abuseCAS schedule: Pharmological group:

Classify the following

drugs according to

both schemes, and justify

your choices

Fentanyl Used in combination with other medicines as an

anesthetic during surgery or used as a patch for chronic pain management

100 times stronger than morphine Many ‘designer drugs’ are based off of it (e.g. China

White)CAS schedule: IIPharmological group: narcotic

Adderall Used for ADHD and narcolepsy Improves mental performance Common drug of abuseCAS schedule: IIPharmological group: stimulant

Classify the following

drugs according to

both schemes, and

justify your choices