________ drugs have high abuse potential but are approved for medical purposes.

• A. Schedule I
• B. Schedule II
• C. Schedule III
• D. Schedule IV

Answer: (B)

Drugs with high potential for abuse but accepted medical use fall into Schedule II. This category is defined by a strong risk of misuse and dependence, yet they do have legitimate medical applications, which is why they’re tightly regulated rather than banned outright. Prescriptions for these substances are subject to strict controls, often with no or limited refills and careful tracking to curb abuse. Examples include powerful narcotics like morphine and oxycodone, as well as certain stimulants such as amphetamine-based medicines. This combination of "high abuse risk" plus "medical usefulness" is what distinguishes Schedule II from the other schedules: Schedule I has no accepted medical use, while Schedule III–V carry progressively lower abuse potential and looser restrictions.