5-1 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Drug-Control Laws The U.S. federal law known as the Controlled Substances Act will serve to illustrate a legal drug-classification system created to prevent and control drug abuse. This federal law establishes five schedules of classification for controlled dangerous substances on the basis of a drug’s –potential for abuse –potential for physical and psychological dependence –medical value

5-2 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Schedules of Classification Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and have no currently accepted medical use. Examples are heroin, marijuana, methaqualone, and LSD. Criminal penalties (1 st time offense for individual trafficking) are 0-20 years/$1 million (Trafficking = buying/selling drugs illegally)

5-3 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Schedules of Classification Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and have medical use with severe restrictions. Examples are cocaine, PCP, and most amphetamine and barbiturate prescriptions. Criminal penalties (1 st time offense for individual trafficking) are 0-20 years/$1 million

5-4 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Schedules of Classification Schedule III drugs have less potential for abuse and a currently accepted medical use Examples include all barbiturate prescriptions not covered under Schedule II, such as codeine and anabolic steroids. Criminal penalties (1 st time offense for individual trafficking) are 0-5 years/$250,000

5-5 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Schedules of Classification Schedule IV drugs have a low potential for abuse and have a current medical use. Examples include Darvon, phenobarbital, and some tranquilizers such as diazepam (valium) and chlordiazepoxide (librium). Criminal penalties (1 st time offense for individual trafficking) are 0-3 years/$250,000

5-6 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Schedules of Classification Schedule V drugs must show low abuse potential and have medical use. Examples include opiate drug mixtures that contain nonnarcotic medicinal ingredients, like 200 mg acetaminophen-codeine preparations Criminal penalties (1 st time offense for individual trafficking) are 0-1 years/$100,000

5-7 ©2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ FORENSIC SCIENCE: An Introduction, 2 nd ed. By Richard Saferstein Link for more information Controlled Substances Schedules (US Department of Justice)Controlled Substances Schedules