He stated, 'in substance' [='in essence', 'essentially'], that it is not his fault and he will not pay for damages.
These rumors have no 'substance'. = These rumors are 'without substance'. [=these rumors are not true]
Codeine is a 'controlled substance'. [=a drug that you need permission from a doctor to use]
(..) and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Come to my woman's breasts and take my milk for gall, you murthering ministers, wherever, in your sightless substances, you wait on nature's mischief. Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, (..)2015 Macbeth