Program overview

UCSD's Controlled Substances Program, administered by the Controlled Substances Program manager in Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), describes institutional, principal investigator, and employee responsibilities for:

• Determining if a chemical is a controlled substance (CS)
• Applying for a Controlled Substance Use Authorization (CSUA)
• Managing a CSUA
• Ordering CS
• Managing authorized personnel
• Following CS storage requirements
• Managing CS inventories
• Additional Authorizations and Registrations

UCSD currently holds a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration to cover the use of CS for the university's research, veterinary, and teaching needs.

Responsibilities

• Principal investigators (PIs) must apply for a CSUA if CS is required for any of these purposes:

  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Veterinary care
  • Clinical trial (only if your facility is located off campus)
    Note: Clinical trials performed on campus through the pharmacy don't require a CSUA.

  The CSUA provides information that supports the university's DEA registrations, including the PI's CS needs, storage security, inventory tracking, and authorized personnel. A separate CSUA is required for each location where CS will be used.

  A PI may need to obtain additional, project-specific DEA registration from the CS program manager for certain substances, locations, or purposes not covered by the university's standard DEA registration.



• All applicants and authorized personnel must answer questions concerning:
  • Felony convictions in connection with controlled substances
  • Surrendering previous registrations or having a registration revoked, suspended, or denied
  • Any use of narcotics, amphetamines, or barbiturates other than those prescribed to the applicant by a physician


• Department chairs must notify EH&S when:
  • A new PI is expected to arrive on campus in possession of CS
  • A PI with CS authorization dies or intends to terminate employment

  Note: Department chairs cannot authorize their own CSUA application.

Additional resources

• CS FAQ
• CS Forms
• CS Training

Related policies

• PPM 516-7 Controlled Substances for Research, Teaching, and Veterinary Care (PDF)
• Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §801 et seq.) (CSA)
• Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1300 to end (21 CFR §1308)
• California Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Questions? Contact EH&S Controlled Substances Program, (858) 534-1362.