North Carolina Drug Control Unit

The State of North Carolina established a Drug Control Unit (NC-DCU) within the Division of Mental Health, in response to a need for improved regulation of prescription drugs. NC-DCU works to identify and prevent diversion of controlled substances, reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse, and improve patient care and safety. To these ends, North Carolina legislators passed three acts: NC Controlled Substances Act, NC Controlled Substances Reporting System Act, and the Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act.

Because of their potential for abuse, controlled substances have specific regulatory requirements for their acquisition, storage, security, inventory, recordkeeping, disposal and importing or exporting. Rules and regulations apply to every person who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, or conducts research with any controlled substance. All controlled substances users shall fully comply with both North Carolina’s state and federal rules and regulations. For activities regulated by both state and federal agencies, the more stringent rule must be followed.
NC Controlled Substances Regulatory

The NC CSRS collects information on dispensed controlled substance prescriptions and makes this information available to prescribers and dispensers. The system is used as a clinical tool to improve patient care and safety while avoiding potential drug interactions and identifying individuals that may be in need of referral to substance use disorder services. In addition, prescribers can audit their personal controlled substances prescribing history.
NC Controlled Substances Reporting System

The Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act is the only exemption for use or possession of hemp extract in North Carolina.  The hemp extract can only be used for treatment of a seizure disorder named intractable epilepsy.  To register as a caregiver, hemp extract as a treatment must be recommended by a neurologist.
Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act