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

Acquisition and Use Procedures:
Storage and Security Procedures

(a) Controlled substances are to be stored according to requirements for stability and sterility printed on the label (e.g., packaging integrity and refrigeration).

(b) The drugs must be kept ONLY in a fixed and stationary, secure and substantially constructed locked cabinet, vault or other containment furniture. Access to the drugs is to be limited to individuals whose names are listed on the Controlled Substance Use Authorization Application form (Appendix 2) and approved Controlled Substance Use Authorization Update (Appendix 3).

(c) If practical, these containment structures should be located in a room or office that is not accessible to the general public or students.

(d) Key locks or safe combinations should be changed whenever personnel changes occur, or on a prearranged schedule determined by the department chair.

(e) Flip-off tops and other types of seals affixed to controlled substance containers are not to be removed prior to use, to assure the integrity of the container.

(f) ANY significant unaccountable loss of drugs, or loss apparently due to theft or misuse, is to be reported to Public Safety and EH&S immediately upon discovery. (See Section F.5, Disposition of Controlled Substances, for further information on this subject.)

(g) If desired, drugs may be stored in the Student Health Services Pharmacy safe, or in the locked storage in the first-floor storage area in North Life Sciences. Both of these locations have an accurate weighing scale available, and small amounts of drugs may be dispensed out of storage by previous arrangement with the appropriate custodian. Drugs dispensed from these two locations and later stored in laboratories or offices must be stored in accordance with the instructions in Items (a) through (f) above.

(h) EH&S may conduct an inspection of proposed controlled substance storage locations or containment furniture prior to issuing a Use Authorization Certificate to an applicant. The storage site is also subject to periodic inspection by EH&S.