The scheduling of psychoactive substances and what it means

Psychoactive substances are classified and placed under international control in compliance with three international conventions ratified by United Nations (UN) Member States, namely:

• 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
• 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
• 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

The purpose of these classifications is to control and limit the use of these drugs to protect public health and minimize the diversion of precursor chemicals to illegal drug manufactures.

The scope of the 1961 Single Convention was limited to drugs with cannabis-, cocaine- and opium-like effects and did not cover the many new psychotropic substances discovered later.

The 1971 Convention is designed to control psychoactive drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants (such as MDMA), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and hallucinogens (such as LSD).

The 1988 Convention places is concerned with the control of substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances (so called precursors). It provides comprehensive measures against drug trafficking, including provisions against money laundering and the diversion of precursor chemicals. It provides for international cooperation through, for example, extradition of drug traffickers, controlled deliveries and transfer of proceedings. Recommendations regarding the control of precursors are the responsibility of INCB and WHO has no formal role to play in the scheduling of substances covered by the 1988 convention.