Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable shortage of prescription drugs containing controlled substances, such as narcotics and stimulants, causing difficulties for both patients and physicians. Doctors have to scramble to find alternatives and, sometimes, patients simply go without treatment. As it so happens, a new report finds the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has contributed to the problem.

How is this possible? Well, controlled substances are regulated by DEA, because of the potential for abuse and addiction....