“Drug!”

Justice Department agency charged with enforcing laws that cover trafficking in controlled substances. The DEA works with other agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (q.v.), the Internal Revenue Service (q.v.), the U.S. Coast Guard (q.v.), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (q.v.), to control the cultivation, production, smuggling, and distribution of illicit drugs. Most of its efforts are directed against international narcotics smuggling organizations, but it also coordinates domestic efforts aimed at closing down interstate operations. It maintains 86 overseas offices and 221 domestic offices as well as an intelligence center, forensic laboratories, and an air wing.

agency of the Department of Health and Human Services authorized by Congress to inspect, test, approve, and set safety standards for foods and food additives, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, household and medical devices, veterinary products, tobacco products, and devices that emit radiation. The FDA is empowered to prevent untested products from being sold and to take legal action to halt sale of undoubtedly harmful products or of products which involve a health or safety risk. Through court procedure, the FDA can seize products and prosecute the persons or firms responsible for legal violation. FDA authority is limited to interstate commerce. The agency cannot control prices nor directly regulate advertising except of prescription drugs and medical devices.

prohibited interstate commerce in adulterated food products and hazardous or mislabeled household substances and strengthened the enforcement power of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Act established new consumer product identification and quality standards and expanded the FDA's role in inspecting food and cosmetics and in testing and licensing drugs. It has been amended several times to broaden its coverage, which now includes medical devices, sanitation certification, labeling and anti-tampering requirements, and FDA oversight in drug marketing. These amendments often came in the wake of heavy lobbying, pro and con, by both consumer advocates and industry representatives.

: a drug (as GHB) administered surreptitiously (as in a drink) to induce an unconscious or sedated state in a potential date rape victim

: a synthetic version of a controlled substance (as heroin) that is produced with a slightly altered molecular structure to avoid having it classified as an illegal drug

: a statutorily designated area or place (as a public park or beach or a school bus) within which the distribution of or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance is an aggravated felony