True or False: The prescribing of narcotics to a dependent person for the purpose of continuing their dependence is permissible if they are in an authorized clinical investigation.

The assertion regarding the permissibility of prescribing narcotics to a dependent person for the purpose of continuing their dependence, even within the context of an authorized clinical investigation, is indeed false.

In general, federal and state regulations surrounding narcotics and controlled substances are stringent, particularly due to the potential for abuse and the risks associated with dependency. Prescribing narcotics to an individual simply to maintain their dependence does not align with ethical medical practices or the intent of responsible drug prescribing standards.

Clinical investigations must adhere to strict protocols designed to ensure patient safety and scientific validity. Such protocols typically focus on treating conditions or ailments rather than sustaining substance dependence. If a patient is dependent, the usual course of treatment would be to provide interventions aimed at reducing that dependence rather than facilitating it.

Therefore, the answer is false because it emphasizes the importance of ethical standards in prescribing practices and underscores the regulatory framework that guides clinical investigations and narcotic prescriptions.