Which organization has the authority to classify drugs into schedules?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holds the authority to classify drugs into schedules under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification is essential for regulating the manufacture, distribution, and use of various substances to ensure they are managed for safety and effectiveness while preventing misuse and abuse.

The scheduling system categorizes drugs based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use in treatment, and accepted safety guidelines. Drugs are classified into five schedules: Schedule I, which includes substances with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, to Schedule V, which includes drugs with a lower potential for abuse.

This process is crucial for law enforcement, healthcare providers, and policymakers, as it governs the legal handling and prescribing of these substances to protect public health and safety. Other organizations mentioned, like the World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control, play significant roles in health and safety but do not have the authority to classify drugs into schedules as the DEA does.