Environmental Health and Safety

DEA Controlled Substances

Millie Tran, Biosafety Officer, 619-594-2865 <mdizon@mail.sdsu.edu>

Procedure for the use of Controlled Substances in Research and Instruction

Executive Summary

A number of substances regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other agencies are used for research or instructional purposes at SDSU. These substances are known as “controlled substances,” and their possession and use is governed by regulations that require that procedures be established to ensure safety and prevent abuse. A written guide that includes such procedures has been established for application at SDSU. This guide describes responsibilities and procedures for research or instructional activities by persons or groups working with controlled substances under the auspices of San Diego State University.

The key elements of the DEA Controlled Substances Program include:

• Proper DEA registration and permitting procedures.
  
  
• An internal registration and approval process.
  
  
• Administrative controls on the ordering, receipt, disposition, storage and disposal of these substances.
  
  
• Provisions for inventory control, audits and inspections.
  
  

Major responsibilities are assigned to various affected departments and individuals. The Department of Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for coordinating the university’s Controlled Substances Program. Other major responsibilities are assigned in the written procedure. In essence, these are as follows:

• Principal investigators, faculty and department chairs must ensure that research or instructional activities under their direction are in compliance with university, federal and state regulations applicable to their departments’ use of the controlled substances.
  
  
• Procurement departments (both university and Foundation) are responsible for proper handling of controlled substance purchases.
  
  
• The pharmacists at Student Health Services are responsible for properly receiving and dispensing of these substances.
  
  
• The Department of Public Safety is responsible for investigation and enforcement actions pertaining to the illegal use or possession of controlled substances.
  
  
• Any inquires regarding this procedure should be directed to the EH&S Controlled Substance Program Coordinator at extension 4-2865.