What is the mission of the DEA?

• A. To license pharmacists
• B. To publish drug schedules in the Federal Register
• C. To enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States
• D. To inspect training programs for pharmacists

Answer: (C)

The DEA’s mission is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States. This means upholding the Controlled Substances Act by regulating who can manufacture, distribute, prescribe, or dispense controlled substances, and by investigating violations and taking enforcement action to prevent drug diversion and trafficking. Licensing pharmacists is typically handled by state boards of pharmacy, scheduling actions and related regulatory work are broader regulatory functions that arise from enforcement but aren’t the mission itself, and inspecting training programs for pharmacists falls outside the DEA’s primary role.