Which federal agency is responsible for maintaining information on drugs and narcotics?

Which federal agency is responsible for maintaining information on drugs and narcotics?

• A. PDR
• B. ATF
• C. DEA
• D. FDA

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is the federal agency primarily responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States. The DEA's mission includes the regulation of drugs and narcotics to prevent drug trafficking and abuse. It maintains a comprehensive database of information concerning controlled substances, their usage, and their legal regulation. This involves monitoring the manufacturing and distribution of drugs, conducting investigations related to drug laws, and coordinating with other federal and state agencies to combat drug-related crime. The DEA also plays a vital role in educating the public and health professionals about the dangers of drug misuse, thus reinforcing its central position in drug enforcement and information maintenance. The other agencies listed have different functions. For example, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) focuses on regulating and investigating issues related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals but does not primarily manage drug enforcement or maintain the same level of information on narcotics as the DEA does. The PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference) is a compilation of drug information but not a federal agency nor involved in law enforcement or maintaining drug regulation data.

The correct answer is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is the federal agency primarily responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States. The DEA's mission includes the regulation of drugs and narcotics to prevent drug trafficking and abuse. It maintains a comprehensive database of information concerning controlled substances, their usage, and their legal regulation.

This involves monitoring the manufacturing and distribution of drugs, conducting investigations related to drug laws, and coordinating with other federal and state agencies to combat drug-related crime. The DEA also plays a vital role in educating the public and health professionals about the dangers of drug misuse, thus reinforcing its central position in drug enforcement and information maintenance.

The other agencies listed have different functions. For example, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) focuses on regulating and investigating issues related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals but does not primarily manage drug enforcement or maintain the same level of information on narcotics as the DEA does. The PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference) is a compilation of drug information but not a federal agency nor involved in law enforcement or maintaining drug regulation data.