Which is an example of a Schedule I substance?

• A. Methadone
• B. Alprazolam
• C. Cocaine
• D. Heroin

Answer: (D)

Schedule I substances have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States, with no accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Heroin fits this profile because it has no approved medical use and is not prescribed, reflecting its lack of accepted safety under medical supervision. The other substances have recognized medical uses (and thus are scheduled differently)—methadone is Schedule II due to medical uses in pain management and opioid dependence treatment; alprazolam is Schedule IV with medical use for anxiety and a lower relative potential for abuse; cocaine is Schedule II because it has limited medical applications as a local anesthetic, despite a high abuse risk. This combination of high abuse potential and no accepted medical use is what makes heroin a Schedule I example.