What is the purpose of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?

The correct answer highlights the role of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in enforcing controlled substances laws and regulations. The DEA is a federal agency that aims to prevent the abuse and illegal trafficking of controlled substances, ensuring that medications that have potential for abuse or addiction are properly regulated. This involves overseeing the distribution, prescription, and use of controlled substances to ensure that they are used safely and legally within medical practices. The DEA also collaborates with state and local law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related crimes, thereby providing a structured legal framework to address issues related to drug enforcement.

In contrast, the other choices address different aspects of drug regulation and public health but do not accurately capture the primary function of the DEA. While controlling the sale of over-the-counter medications and educating the public about drug misuse are important for public health, they fall under the purview of different agencies and organizations rather than the DEA specifically. Similarly, the approval of new pharmaceutical products is handled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which focuses on the safety and efficacy of medications before they can be sold to the public. Thus, option B accurately reflects the DEA’s mandate, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining legal and safe practices surrounding controlled substances.