New DEA Rule Proposes Ethylphenidate as a Schedule I Controlled Substance
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has recently proposed a new rule that aims to classify ethylphenidate as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This classification would place ethylphenidate alongside other substances that are considered to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Drugs in this category include Heroin and LSD. In this article, we will delve into what this rule means, the nature of ethylphenidate, its history, and its abuse patterns.
The New Rule and Its Implications
The proposed rule would subject ethylphenidate to the most stringent regulatory controls, including administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions. These controls would apply to the manufacture, distribution, importation, exportation, and possession of the substance. If finalized, the rule would criminalize all unauthorized activities involving ethylphenidate, making it illegal for medical practitioners to prescribe and pharmacies to dispense.
What is Ethylphenidate?
Ethylphenidate is a stimulant drug that is chemically similar to methylphenidate, a Schedule II substance commonly known as Ritalin. It acts on the central nervous system and affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Ethylphenidate is not approved for medical use in the United States, and it has been found to produce psychoactive effects similar to other stimulants like methylphenidate and methamphetamine.
Classification of the Drug
The DEA's proposal aims to place ethylphenidate in the stimulants category of Schedule I substances. This classification is based on an eight-factor analysis that includes the drug's potential for abuse, scientific evidence of its pharmacological effects, and the state of current scientific knowledge regarding the substance.
History of Ethylphenidate
Ethylphenidate first came into the spotlight for abuse in 2011. It has been trafficked and abused in North America and Europe since then. The substance was first reported to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS-Drug) database in 2013. From 2013 through 2022, the NFLIS registered 191 reports from 23 states, indicating that the abuse of this substance is widespread.
Patterns of Abuse
Ethylphenidate is being abused for its stimulant-like effects, which include tachycardia, anxiety, hallucinations, impaired thinking, and paranoia. It is often taken without medical advice and in amounts sufficient to pose a hazard to individual health and community safety. The drug has been associated with several deaths, particularly in the United Kingdom between July 2013 and December 2014. Most of these fatalities involved poly-drug use, including benzodiazepines, methadone, and other opioids.
Public Health Risks
The DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have both highlighted the significant public health risks associated with ethylphenidate. These risks stem from its ability to induce stimulant-like responses, leading to adverse events like psychological and cognitive impairment.
The DEA's proposed rule to classify ethylphenidate as a Schedule I controlled substance is a significant step towards regulating this dangerous and increasingly abused stimulant. If the rule is finalized, it will bring about stringent controls and penalties for unauthorized handling of the substance, thereby aiming to curb its abuse and the associated public health risks.