The purchase, use and disposal of controlled substances in New Jersey are strictly regulated by the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs (NJ DCA) Drug Control Unit and the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA). These regulations are intended to prevent diversion of controlled substances. Environmental Health and Safety holds the responsibility to ensure that researchers planning work with controlled substances are aware of and understand their responsibility for complying with the relevant state and federal statutes and regulations governing the use of these substances whether for veterinary care and laboratory research applications.
To request a pick-up of expired drugs, use the Expired Controlled Substance Removal Request Form.
Many of the narcotics, synthetic steroids, depressants, and stimulants manufactured for legitimate medical use are subject to abuse and have, therefore, been brought under legal control.
Researchers authorized to possess and administer CDS may do so under a valid DEA license and only with prior approval of EHS; authorized personnel must comply with all applicable regulatory requirements relating to drug security, control, disposal and recordkeeping.
The DEA and its state affiliates (Department of Consumer Affairs, Drug Control Unit in NJ) categorize CDS materials into or 'schedule' categories based on the likelihood of diversion, mostly due to abuse and addiction prevalence. Materials fall into one of five schedules, from highest control to least;
Schedule I | No accepted medical use, high potential for abuse (e.g., heroin, methamphetamine) |
Schedule II | High potential for abuse, severe psychological or physical dependence (e.g., cocaine, oxycodone) |
Schedule III | Potential for abuse less than Schedule I & II (e.g., ketamine, and anabolic steroids) |
Schedule IV | Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III (e.g., midazolam, diazepam) |
Schedule V | Consist primarily of mixtures containing limited quantities of other scheduled material (e.g., Codeine preparations - 200 mg/100 ml, Motofen) |
Researchers may request authorization to use CDS materials by submitting the completed Application to Use DEA Controlled Dangerous Substances accessable under the Resources section on this page.
Proposed use of CDS materials on laboratory animals is reviewed and approved separately by the university’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) through the animal use protocol application process.
Related EHS Web Content:
DEA Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) purchase requisitions are reviewed and approved by EHS.
To ensure timely review of CDS purchases be sure to observe the following.
EHS is notified via email upon department approval of CDS requisitions.
Controlled substances must be stored in substantially constructed, double-locking boxes that have been mounted on a wall or bolted into a laboratory bench drawer. Locked drawers alone do not provide adequate security for storage of controlled substances.
Records Overview
Receipt of Controlled Substance
Use of Controlled Substances
Managing Expired Controlled Substances
Biennial Inventory of Controlled Substances
Receipt of Controlled Substance
Managing Expired Controlled Substances
Biennial Inventory of Controlled Substances
EHS schedules CDS destructions periodially, as needed, throughout the year. Once researchers request a CDS destruction, EHS coordinates and performs the destruction arranging a Public Safety Officer to serve as witness. The destructions follow protocol approved by The State of NJ Division of Consumer Affairs Drug Control Unit.