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Newly Scheduled Novel Psychoactive Substances

By Kevin Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds designed or consumed to mimic the effects of typical recreational substances such as diacetylmorphine (heroin), cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis, or even prescription medications. As these NPS emerge and become prevalent, the United States Federal government can use its scheduling powers to effectively ban the substances as Schedule I controlled substances. 

Schedule I controlled substances are defined as a substance that has a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in the United States. 

Effective July 26, 2023, the United States Federal government controlled the following NPS as Schedule I controlled substances: etizolam, flualprazolam, clonazolam, flubromazolam, and diclazepam. Over the past few years, each of these drugs have been associated with or implicated in numerous cases of driving under the influence of drugs as well as toxicity and fatality. 

Axis tests for clonazolam, etizolam, flualprazolam, and flubromazolam in the Novel Psychoactive Substance panel (order code 13610) as well as the Comprehensive Panel with Analyte AssuranceTM (order code 70510). Diclazepam (as metabolites delorazepam and lorazepam) is also included in order code 70510. If you have questions about these substances and how they may apply to your casework, please reach out to our subject matter experts by email ([email protected]) or phone (317-759-4869, Option 3).  

References 

Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, 21 CFR Part 1309, Docket No. DEA-989. Federal Register. Volume 88, No. 142. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Etizolam, Flualprazola, Clonazolam, Flubromazola, and Diclazepam in Schedule I. July 26, 2023. 

2023-15748.pdf (govinfo.gov) 

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