Classifying Drugs of Abuse

CE Course Description

Fact-based drug education plays a critical role in preventing substance misuse. The purpose of this intermediate level continuing education course, developed using information from the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, is to provide important information about the harms and consequences of drug use by describing a drug’s effects on the body and mind, overdose potential, origin, legal status, and other key facts.  In addition, substance’s medical use, potential for abuse, and safety or dependence liability as determined by The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) are discussed as well as specific drug classes, designer drugs, and drugs of concern.

Author: Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice

CE Course Objectives

1. Describe the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) criteria for placing all substances that are regulated under existing federal law into one of five schedules.
2. Differentiate between drug abuse, dependence and addiction, and discuss how controlled substances have abuse potential or are immediate precursors to substances with abuse potential.
3. Compare the five classes of drugs, including narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids, including common features and distinguishing properties.
4. Outline overall drug’s effects on the body and mind, overdose potential, origin, legal status, and other key facts.
5. Evaluate the consequences of marijuana/cannabis and inhalant use, as well as other drugs of concern and designer drugs that are not currently controlled by the Controlled Substances Act.
6. Identify drug prevention resources and services designed to reach targeted populations and address particular problems and needs.

CE Course Outline

Section 1: Controlled Substances Act (40 mins)

1. Drug Scheduling (5 mins)
2. Schedule I (5 mins)
3. Schedule II (5 mins)
4. Schedule III (3 mins)
5. Schedule IV (3 mins)
6. Schedule V (4 mins)
7. Federal Trafficking Penalties (5 mins)
8. General Penalties (5 mins)
9. Penalties for Marijuana (5 mins)

Section 2: U.S. Chemical Control (10 mins)

1. Listed Chemicals Chart (10 mins)

Section 3: Introduction to Drug Classes (10 mins)

1. Overview of Drug Classes (10 mins)

Section 4: Narcotics (40 mins)

1. General Overview (5 mins)
2. Fentanyl (6 mins)
3. Heroin (6 mins)
4. Hydromorphone (5 mins)
5. Methadone (5 mins)
6. Morphine (4 mins)
7. Opium (4 mins)
8. Oxycodone (5 mins)

Section 5: Stimulants (20 mins)

1. Amphetamines (5 mins)
2. Cocaine (5 mins)
3. Khat (5 mins)
4. Methamphetamine (5 mins)

Section 6: Depressants (30 mins)

1. General Overview (5 mins)
2. Barbiturates (8 mins)
3. Benzodiazepines (7 mins)
4. GHB (5 mins)
5. Rohypnol (5 mins)

Section 7: Hallucinogens (30 mins)

1. Ecstasy/MDMA (7 mins)
2. Ketamine (7 mins)
3. LSD (5 mins)
4. Peyote & Mescaline (6 mins)
5. Psilocybin (5 mins)

Section 8: Marijuana/Cannabis (15 mins)

1. General Overview (7 mins)
2. Marijuana Concentrates (8 mins)

Section 9: Steroids (5 mins)

1. Overview (5 mins)

Section 10: Inhalants (5 mins)

1. Overview (5 mins)

Section 11: Drugs of Concern (15 mins)

1. DXM (7 mins)
2. Kratom (4 mins)
3. Salvia Divinorum (4 mins)

Section 12: Designer Drugs (20 minutes)

1. Overview (5 min)
2. Bath Salts or Designer Cathinones (5 min)
3. K2/Spice (5 min)
4. Synthetic Opioids (5 min)

Additional Resources

1. References (Not timed)

Total Time: 240 minutes (4 hours)
Course Level: Introductory