Controlled Substance

English 111 March 7 2010 Controlled Substances By definition a controlled substance is a “drug or chemical substance whose possession and use are regulated under the Controlled Substance Act.” Controlled substances can range from marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, and even prescription drugs. They are considered illegal in the state of Illinois and if caught with them you can be convicted with severe punishment. But, what if they are being used for medical reasons? (Controlled Substances) According to The Controlled Substance Act of 1970, there are four things that determine if a drug is being abused: There is evidence that individuals are taking the drug or other substance in amounts sufficient to create a hazard to their health or to the safety of other individuals or to the community; or There is significant diversion of the drug or other substance from legitimate drug channels; or Individuals are taking the drug or other substances on their own initiative rather than on the basis of medical advice from a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drugs; or The drug is a new drug so related in its action to a drug or other substance already listed as having a potential for abuse to make it likely that the drug will have the same potential for abuse as such drugs, thus making it reasonable to assume that there may be significant diversion from legitimate channels, significant use contrary to or without medical advice, or that it has substantial capability of creating hazards to the health of the user or to the safety of the community. Of course, evidence of actual abuse of a substance is indicative that a drug has potential for abuse. (Act) If these drugs are so highly additive how can they be manufactured and sold in the United States. Marijuana is being used for medical use in patients. Citizens of the United States are also becoming addicted to prescription drugs, which

Cited: Controlled Substance.” Dictionary.reference.com. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. Parloff, Roger. “How Pot Became Legal.” Fortune. 28 Sept. 2009: 140. Print. “The Controlled Substance Act.”Justice.gov. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Web. 28 Feb. 2010.