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Clinical Paper Volume 9 Issue 4
The scientific validity of schedule of controlled substances
Alen J Salerian
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Department of Modern Psychiatry, Greece
Correspondence: Alen J Salerian, Department of Modern Psychiatry, 8 Zaimi ,Paleo Falero 17562 Athens, Greece
Received: July 19, 2018 | Published: July 31, 2018
Citation: Salerian AJ. The scientif ic validity of schedule of controlled substances. J Psychol Clin Psychiatry. 2018;9(4):378?379. DOI: 10.15406/jpcpy.2018.09.00554
Abstract
This study investigates the scientific validity of a predominant governing influence in the care of people with chronic pain, addictions and psychiatric disorders: Schedule of controlled substances (SCS).
Method: The schedule of controlled substances and two textbooks of psychopharmacology were reviewed. Psychopharmacology by Meyer & Quenzer1 and Stahl”s essential textbook of psychopharmacology2 served as the main references.
Results: SCS is not sensitive to scientific objectivity, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, biological markers(latency, euphoric potency, Half elimination life, maximum therapeutic blood level, toxic blood level), route of administration, therapeutic benefits, risk versus benefit’s, exclusion and inclusion criteria Inclusion criteria
Conclusion: The schedule of controlled substances is not scientifically invalid . Because of the sensitive dependence of treatment and quality-of life of people with chronic pain, addictions and psychiatric disorders on SCS, catastrophic consequences may occur consistent with the butterfly effect of complex systems on initial minor errors. Further studies are of essence to investigate potential adverse effects from SCS.
Introduction
The controlled substances act of 1970 established a system by which substances with abuse potential are classified into 5 different schedules (Figure 1) (Table 1).1 Schedule one substances are considered to have no medicinal value. Substances listed under schedule two to five available for medical use with a prescription from a medical professional registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and has a valid license to prescribe controlled substances.1 Approximately 40% of the American population or Americans with chronic pain, addictions and psychiatric disorders depend on treatments strongly regulated by laws and regulations rooted in the validity of the schedule of controlled substances.3−7 This study investigates the scientific validity of the schedule of controlled substances.
Figure 1.
Is SCS sensitive to science? |
Yes |
No |
Pharmacodynamics |
|
+ |
Pharmacokinetics |
|
+ |
Biological markers |
|
+ |
Latency |
|
|
Euphoric potency |
|
|
Half life elimination |
|
|
Blood level maximum |
|
|
Route of administration |
|
+ |
Adverse events |
+ |
|
Benefits |
|
+ |
Risk vs. benefits |
|
+ |
Objective |
|
+ |
Exclusion criteria |
|
+ |
Inclusion criteria |
|
+ |
Table 1
Method
The schedule of controlled substances and two textbooks of psychopharmacology were reviewed. Psychopharmacology by Meyer & Quenzer1 and Stahl”s the essential textbook of psychopharmacology2 served as the main references.
Results
A scientific classification of addictive substances is sensitive to scientific objectivity ,pharmacodynamics ,pharmacokinetics , biological markers(latency, euphoric potency, half elimination life, therapeutic blood level, toxic blood level), route of administration, adverse events, therapeutic benefits, risk versus benefit’s, exclusion and inclusion criteria Inclusion criteria.1,2 SCS does not have a scientifically valid inclusion or exclusion criteria, does not indicate why alcohol and tobacco are excluded.1,2
SCS is dismissive of Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and biological markers such as half-life elimination time, latency, euphoric potency. Examples include Inclusion of marijuana and cocaine in class one.1,2 SCS is dismissive of route of administration (by mouth, skin, air , intramuscular or intravenous injection) .For instance methylphenidate oral tablets are fundamentally different than methylphenidate slow release tablets which have potentially no overuse or addictive potency.1,2 Absence of consideration of risk versus benefits is transparent in the inclusion of marijuana in schedule 1 despite its documented therapeutic benefits.1,2
Conclusion
The schedule of controlled substances is not scientifically invalid. Because of the sensitive dependence of treatment and quality-of life of people with chronic pain, addictions and psychiatric disorders on SCS, catastrophic consequences may occur consistent with the butterfly effect of complex systems on initial minor errors8 further studies are of essence to investigate potential adverse effects from SCS.
Acknowledgements
None.
Conflict of interest
The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.
References
- Mayer JS, Quenzer LF. Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior. 2nd ed. Sunderland: Sinauer Association Inc; 2005.
- Stahl S. Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology; neuroscientific basis and practical applications.4th edn, Cambridge Press; 2012.
- Institute of medicine report; 2012.
- Libby RT. Treating Doctors as Drug Dealers: The DEA’s War on Prescription Painkillers. CATO Institute Policy no. 545. 2005.
- Salerian AJ. Dual epidemics of deaths by heroin overdose and suicide. Clin Res Trials 3: 2017.
- Salerian AJ. The heroin epidemic (2000-2014): manmade influences. Pharm Pharmacol Int J. 2018;6(3):203‒208.
- Salerian AJ. The new Tuskeegee: Persecution of pain doctors in America. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2018:1−114.
- Lorenz EN. Deterministic Nonperiodic flow. Journal of The Atmospheric Sciences. 1963;20(2):130–141.
©2018 Salerian. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.