Which schedule of drugs has the least potential for abuse?

Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II drugs, which are considered to have higher abuse liabilities. Schedule I includes substances that have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin and LSD. Schedule II substances, like opioids and stimulants, are recognized for medical use but still have a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

In contrast, Schedule III drugs are classified as having moderate potential for abuse, which can lead to low or moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence. This classification includes medications like anabolic steroids and certain pain relievers that are medically beneficial but have a reduced risk of addiction compared to those in higher schedules. As a result, Schedule III represents a safer category in terms of potential for abuse, making it the correct answer in identifying which schedule has the least potential for abuse.

Schedule IV drugs, while also having a lower potential for abuse than I and II, still fall under a similar risk category as Schedule III but are designed for substances with even less risk, such as benzodiazepines. However, Schedule III is more representative of a broader range of commonly prescribed medications compared to the specifically less abused drugs in Schedule IV.