Q: Are all drugs controlled substances?
A: No, most drugs are considered pharmaceuticals and are not controlled substances. Examples of drugs that are not controlled substances are Donepezil, Xylazine, and Atropine.
Search the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) List of Controlled Substances to see if a drug is considered a controlled substance. One way to tell if the item is a controlled substance is to check the label for the letter “C” with a Roman numeral I through V next to it (example: C-IV).
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Q: What are schedule numbers and DEA codes?
A: The federal government assigns each controlled substance a schedule number (I through V) according to its medicinal value, harmfulness, and potential for abuse or addiction. The DEA code is a 4-digit number assigned to each controlled substance. You can find schedule numbers and DEA codes at the DEA Web site.
A higher schedule number indicates the substance has more medicinal value and less potential for abuse or addiction. The letter "N" can also accompany the schedule number, signifying the substance is a non-narcotic. If the DEA Web site has "N" in the NARC column, the item is a non-narcotic and is denoted by the Roman numeral and an “N” (e.g., IIN). If the DEA Web site has a "Y" in the NARC column, the item is a narcotic and is denoted so by the absence of the "N" (e.g., II).
The most common controlled substances used in research and their schedule numbers and DEA codes are:
| Substance | Schedule | DEA Code |
| Ketamine | IIIN | 7285 |
| Pentobarbital (e.g., Nembutal, Fatal Plus) | IIN | 2270 |
| Buprenorphine | III | 9064 |
| Fentanyl | II | 9801 |
| Diazepam | IVN | 2765 |
Pentobarbital & non-controlled
active ingredients (e.g., B-Euthanasia) | IIIN | 2271 |
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Q: What is my CSUA number?
A: A Controlled Substance Use Authorization (CSUA) number will be assigned to your lab by the Controlled Substances Program manager when the CSUA is approved. The CSUA number authorizes your lab to purchase, possess, and store controlled substances at UCSD.
Historically, labs obtained a Controlled Substances Authorization (CSA) through the Purchasing Department. Now, Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) grants the CSUA number, which is an updated version of the CSA.
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Q: Why do I need to fill out a Personnel Screening Data Sheet (PSDS)?
A: The Personnel Screening Data Sheet (PDF) helps UCSD restrict controlled substance access to authorized personnel.
To maintain UCSD’s ability to purchase and possess controlled substances for research purposes, we must prevent any loss of these chemicals. The Personnel Screening Data Sheet helps identify individuals who should be excluded from being authorized to access controlled substances.
For example, diverting controlled substances from their intended research purpose is one way controlled substances are acquired for illegal recreational use. Some personnel, such as people with a criminal history of controlled substance diversion, cannot be authorized to handle controlled substances.
The Personnel Screening Data Sheet also documents the individual’s knowledge of responsibility to notify the Controlled Substances Program manager of any controlled substances diversion.
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Q: Why are the requirements for storage changing? We already had our storage approved many years ago.
A: UCSD recently updated the controlled substance storage policies to adhere to current federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulations.
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Q: What do I do with the empty bottles of controlled substances?
A: First, make sure you've accounted for all of the controlled substance on the Controlled Substances Log Sheet (PDF). Then follow the instructions on How to Dispose of Empty Hazardous Materials Containers. Empty bottles do not have to be collected by Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S); you can deface and dispose of them as regular garbage.
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Q: What are “listed” chemicals?
A: Listed chemicals, also known as precursor chemicals, are chemicals that may be used to manufacture controlled substances and are regulated by the DEA and California’s Department of Justice. Listed chemicals are controlled in order to prevent the illicit manufacture of controlled substances. Examples of listed chemicals include Thionylchloride Pseudoephedrine and Piperidine.
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Q: Why can’t I buy listed chemicals for my lab directly from the vendor?
A: Chemical vendors who sell, transfer, or furnish listed chemicals must now report to the state or federal government who purchased the chemical and for what purpose. To avoid making this report, chemical vendors increasingly require using a controlled substance registration number to purchase List I and California precursor chemicals.
To acquire listed chemicals for nonclinical (research or teaching) purposes, you must have a Controlled Substances Use Authorization from EH&S prior to obtaining listed chemicals. Follow the procedures for how to buy Controlled Substances. A DEA code and schedule number do not apply to these items.
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Q: How do I store my listed chemicals?
A: Store listed chemicals according to their hazard type described on Chemical Storage and Inventory Guidelines. You must store all List I and California Precursor chemicals in a locked container within a room that's under human surveillance or locked when not staffed.
Contact the Controlled Substances Program manager, (858) 534-1362, for a storage consultation prior to requesting listed chemicals.
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Questions about controlled substances? Contact Wendy Scott, Controlled Substances Program manager, (858) 534-1362.
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