Q: Are all drugs controlled substances (CS)?
A: No, most drugs are considered pharmaceuticals and are not CS. Examples of drugs that are not CS 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 CS. One way to tell 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 CS 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 CS. 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 CS 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 CS Program manager when the application is approved. The CSUA number authorizes your lab to order, possess, and store CS at UC San Diego.
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: Diverting CS from research purposes is one way CS are acquired for illegal recreational use. The PSDS helps restrict CS access to authorized personnel, and identify and prohibit access to people with a criminal history of CS diversion or other disqualifications.
The PSDS also documents the individual’s acknowledgement of responsibility to notify the CS Program manager of CS loss or diversion.
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Q: Why have storage requirements changed? We already had our storage approved many years ago.
A: UCSD recently updated CS storage policies to meet current federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulations.
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Q: What do I do with empty CS bottles?
A: First, make sure you've accounted for the used CS on the Controlled Substances Log Sheet. Then follow the instructions on How to Dispose of Empty Hazardous Materials Containers. Empty CS bottles do not have to be collected by 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 CS and are regulated by the DEA and California’s Department of Justice. Listed chemicals are controlled in order to prevent the illicit manufacture of CS. Examples of listed chemicals include Thionylchloride Pseudoephedrine and Piperidine.
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Q: Why can’t I order listed chemicals for my lab directly from the vendor?
A: Chemical vendors who sell, transfer, or furnish listed chemicals must report to the state or federal government who purchased the chemical and for what purpose. To avoid making this report, chemical vendors increasingly require a CS registration number to purchase List I and California precursor chemicals.
To acquire listed chemicals for nonclinical (research or teaching) purposes, you must have a CSUA from EH&S prior to obtaining listed chemicals. Follow the procedures for ordering CS. 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. List I and California Precursor chemicals must be stored in a locked container within a room that's under human surveillance or locked when not staffed.
Contact the CS 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, CS Program manager, (858) 534-1362.
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