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DEA Schedule

Definition

The classification system used by the Drug Enforcement Administration to categorize controlled substances based on their accepted medical use and potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs (e.g., heroin) have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential; Schedule V drugs (e.g., some cough medicines) have the lowest abuse potential.

Example

Oxycodone is Schedule II (high abuse potential but accepted medical use), while benzodiazepines like diazepam are Schedule IV.

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