Where is heroin classified in terms of controlled substances?

Heroin is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse, lack of accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and significant risk of dependence. This classification reflects the understanding that heroin poses serious health risks, including addiction and overdose, and it generally has no legitimate medicinal applications that are recognized. The categorization as Schedule 1 means that substances in this group are considered to have an extremely high potential for abuse with no accepted safety for use under medical supervision, which is a critical factor in the framework of drug regulation.

The other classifications, such as Schedule 2, 3, and the option of not classified, involve substances that have varying levels of accepted medical use and lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule 1 drugs. Understanding this classification is crucial for law enforcement, medical professionals, and policymakers in addressing the social and health issues related to drug abuse.