Drug Classifications: Law and Science

Drug classification is done to understand how certain drugs behave when ingested and to analyse the risks and benefits of various drugs. This also helps in organising drugs into categories based on their chemical similarities to be able to utilise them in therapies.

The DRE categorization of drugs is based on their long-standing, medically accepted facts. DRE classifies drugs into one of these seven categories. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anaesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants, and cannabis. Main categories of drugs based on their effects include

Depressants

Depressants are most commonly referred to as downers and create feelings of tiredness and relaxation. Though they serve the legitimate purposes of fighting against mental illness and sleep deprivation, they are mostly abused because they create feelings of euphoria. Depressants are not only highly addictive, but also cause overdose very often. Examples of depressants are Alcohol, Opiates and Barbiturates.

Stimulants

Stimulants are known as uppers and increase energy, focus and wakefulness among the users. Precisely, they produce a ‘rush’. Stimulants produce an excited high of pleasure and increase productivity and performance when administered in optimal doses. Stimulants too are highly addictive and have an incredible potential for abuse. Examples of Stimulants are the drug Adderall, Cocaine and Meth.

Hallucinogens

Usage of hallucinogens results in a process known as tripping that alters user’s perception of reality, often resulting in auditory and visual hallucinations. Hallucinogens are also known as dissociative because they cause dissociation. They are less addictive by nature but their immediate effects could be severe and dangerous. Examples of Hallucinogens are LSD, Psilocybin Mushrooms and PSP.

Inhalants

Inhalants are primarily breathed in or huffed by the users. They are a wide range of chemicals that are not supposed to be ingested by humans. These incredible variety of inhalants produce instant feelings of high. While there are very insignificant number of studies about the inhalants, they are highly dangerous and may result in serious health effects. Examples of common inhalants are Paint thinner, nail polish remover and gasoline.

Drug Classifications Based on Legal Definitions

According to the Federal Government Controlled Substances Act of 1970, drugs have been classified into five schedules depending upon their effects. This classification is determined by the value or potential of the drug for medical use, abuse and the risk of addiction. Let’s look at the schedules of drugs

Schedule V

Schedule V drugs are legitimately accepted for medical purposes and have fewest regulations and lowest penalties for use. They have a lower potential for abuse and have lower potential addiction. Examples for Schedule v drugs are Lomotil, Motofen and Lyrica.

Schedule IV

Schedule IV drugs have regulations and penalties that range between those of Schedule V and Schedule III drugs. Schedule IV drugs too have low potential for abuse and addiction and have legitimately accepted medical purposes. Examples of Schedule IV drugs are Ambien, Darvocet and Tramadol.

Schedule III

Schedule III drugs have more regulations and harsher penalties as compared to Schedule IV drugs and fewer regulations and less severe penalties than Schedule II drugs. Though Schedule III drugs have a have a lower abuse potential than Schedule I and II drugs, they do possess a moderate or low potential for addiction. They have legitimate acceptable medical purposes. Examples of Schedule III drugs are Anabolic steroids, Ketamine and Vicodin.

Schedule II

Schedule II drugs are next to Schedule I drugs for more regulations and harsher penalties than any drug classification. Schedule II drugs have a legitimate accepted medical use and also a high potential for abuse, and a severe dependence risk. Examples of Schedule II drugs are Codeine, Methadone and Ritalin.

Schedule I

Schedule I drugs have the highest regulations and harshest penalties of among all other drugs. Schedule I drugs have no legitimate accepted medical use and possess a high potential for abuse. Examples of Schedule I drugs are Ecstasy, Quaaludes and GHB. Examples are Alcohol, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana/Hashish, Methamphetamines, Narcotics, Tobacco and Nicotine and Tranquilizers and Sedatives.