Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Which schedule of drugs includes substances with accepted medical uses but moderate potential for dependence?

1. Schedule 4

2. Schedule 3

3. Schedule 1

4. Schedule 5

The correct answer is: Schedule 3

The correct answer is Schedule 3. This classification includes drugs that have accepted medical uses in the United States but possess a moderate potential for dependence. Medications in this category may be prescribed for various medical conditions due to their therapeutic benefits, yet their potential for abuse and dependency is higher than those in Schedule 4 and 5, which are considered to have lower risks in comparison. To provide context, Schedule 1 drugs are classified as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, making them illegal for prescribing. Schedule 4 drugs, on the other hand, are associated with lower abuse potential and include substances like benzodiazepines. Schedule 5 drugs have the lowest potential for abuse among the controlled substances and tend to include medications like cough preparations with low concentrations of codeine. Thus, the unique positioning of Schedule 3 drugs, with their balance of medical utility and moderate risks, accurately reflects the characteristics described in the question.