There is a lot of information on the use of drugs in popular culture, on the Internet, and in daily conversation with friends and peers. Some of the information is accurate, but much of it is not. Find out as much as you can about illegal, legal, prescription drugs, and even over-the-counter drugs, and their effects on your body and your brain. Also, there are legal consequences for growing, manufacturing and dealing drugs, or providing them to willing or unwilling users. In many states, possessing drugs for personal use, or with the intent to distribute is against the law. Drug tests pick up evidence of drug use and there can be severe consequences for using these drugs. Here are a few points to remember:

Here are a few points to remember:

• We are a pill-taking society. Many of us believe there's a pill for anything and everything that ails us, improving our appearance, performance and mood. There are thousands of good medications which are safe and effective, and new drugs come on the market every day. We are being bombarded with advertisements about the benefits of these drugs. But don't be fooled: legal prescription drugs are not something to fool around with. Neither are some over-the-counter medications like cough syrup. Just because a doctor prescribed them to a relative or a friend doesn't make them safe for you. Just because something comes from a drug store doesn't make it safe to abuse.
• Even though prescription drugs are legal, selling and using drugs that you did not obtain through a legitimate medical prescription are illegal acts.
• Unless a doctor prescribes medication for you to address your own medical condition, don't take it. If using OTC medication, follow the directions carefully.
• You cannot predict the effect that a drug can have on you---especially if it is the first time you try it, and even if it is a small amount or dose. Everyone's brain and body chemistry are different. Everyone's tolerance for drugs is different. It's like playing Russian Roulette.
• Using drugs can lead to addiction, impairment and even death.
• Marijuana is not medicine.
• Addiction and dependency can be addressed through drug treatment, which is a long and hard process. It is far better not to start, not to experiment, not to tempt fate.
• Don't buy drugs over the Internet---don't be fooled by claims that the drugs offered on-line are safe. Many of those who sell drugs to teenagers on the Internet are simply e-dealers.

What is a "Controlled Substance?"

In order to protect the public, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act which established a system to "schedule" drugs. There are five schedules which the DEA and the FDA use to categorize drugs. Drugs that have the greatest potential for harm and addiction are placed in higher schedules.

In scheduling a drug, the government takes a number of factors into account: the potential for abuse, the scientific evidence of its effects on the body and brain, the drug's risk to the public, and whether a substance or drug can be transformed into another drug with high abuse potential.

Drugs that have high potential for abuse, and which do not have any acceptable medical use are placed in Schedule I. Within Schedules II-V are drugs that have medical uses but can still be dangerous. The lower the schedule, the less addictive and dangerous a drug is. A doctor's prescription is needed for all controlled substances, and the higher the schedule, the more difficult it is to obtain refills.

However, it's important to remember that even substance which are not "controlled" such as over-the-counter medications and inhalants can be abused. And it's important to note that DEA and the FDA are continually re-evaluating a drug's schedule. If a drug which was once thought "safe" is creating significant public health problems, the government has a process to quickly respond and tighten controls. Congress can also re-schedule a drug through legislation and has done so in several cases.

Learn more about the Controlled Substances Act.