Even though service members may have been prescribed a controlled substance as part of a medical treatment, taking left-over prescription medication for a related or unrelated injury or illness is illegal and punishable under the UCMJ.

Controlled substances are medications categorized under five schedules established by the Controlled Substances Act.

The five schedules differentiate the level of potential for dependency or abuse of a substance, according to the Food and Drug Administration Web site www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Testimony/ucm115087.htm.

Controlled medications have a "shelf life." A controlled medication may only be used by the person to whom it was prescribed and only as directed for its original purpose.

Article 112a of the UCMJ explains wrongful use, possession and distribution of controlled substances.

Substances categorized in schedule I have a higher potential for dependency and abuse and no accepted medical use except for scientific study. Substances in schedules II through V are medicinally beneficial and have lesser degrees for potential dependency or abuse.

Because the medications outlined in the five categories can be addictive, they are controlled, closely monitored and accounted, and dispensed only as needed, said Navy Lt. Sara Moyers, a physician's assistant with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa on Camp Lester.

"If the condition requires narcotics or controlled substances, then a prescription is written. A good example would be pain not controlled by over-the-counter medications," Moyers said.

Narcotics, or opiate-based drugs, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone marketed under brand names such as Vicodin and Percocet have a moderate to high potential for misuse or abuse, according to its categorization by the FDA Web site.

Many service members are unaware prescription medications have expiration dates.

On the label of any prescription medication is listed the days' supply of that medication.

According to Petty Officer 1st Class Hans Cajal, a corpsman at the hospital, medication should not be ingested after the days-supply date listed on the label has passed.

"Taking medication beyond the days-supply number is going against the doctor's orders," Cajal explained. "If more medication is needed, a doctor needs to re-evaluate the patient."

According to Cajal, the substances are controlled and carefully dispensed because they can be dangerous, habit forming and potentially fatal.

"You can develop a psychological and physical dependency," he said.

Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, substance abuse control officer, Gunnery Sgt. Lanny Powell, explained potential effects of substance abuse or dependency.

"Substance abuse can affect the overall readiness of a unit," he said.

He explained how it can affect an individual on both a personal and professional level, saying it distracts abusers from performing their duties, and rehabilitation efforts detract from unit strength.

Moreover, medication should only be ingested as directed by a doctor. Any other form of intake is considered misuse and illegal under article 112a.

Medications that are no longer needed should be properly discarded as they are considered expired. They should not be used or transferred to another person for any reason, according to Moyers.

She explained, "If the medication is expired or you no longer need it, dispose of it by returning the remaining portion to the main pharmacy at the Naval hospital."

Although all the drugs categorized under the five schedules can be dangerous if misused or abused, they are legal because health professionals or medical scientists note their medicinal or study benefits which in many cases outweigh the risks associated with their chemical dependency. Hence they are controlled and regulated by the federal government and dispensed only for particular illnesses or injuries at the discretion of qualified physicians.

Article 112a of the UCMJ can be found at www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ucmj.html