Macon County Law Enforcement Center (MCLC) Comprehensive State Practice Exam

Which illegal substance is known to be associated with severe health risks and classified as a Schedule I drug?

1. Methaqualone

2. Hydrocodone

3. Suboxone

4. Benzodiazepines

The correct answer is: Methaqualone

Methaqualone is classified as a Schedule I drug, indicating that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States. This classification is reserved for substances that pose severe risks to health and safety due to their effects on the body and mind. Methaqualone, often known by its brand name Quaalude, was historically prescribed for insomnia and as a sedative, but it was eventually banned due to widespread abuse and the serious health risks associated with its use, including addiction, overdose, and significant impairment in motor skills. In contrast, hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II drug, which means it does have accepted medical uses but also carries a high potential for abuse. Suboxone, which is used in the treatment of opioid addiction, is classified as a Schedule III drug, indicating a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II substances. Benzodiazepines also fall under Schedule IV, meaning they have accepted medical uses but carry some risk of addiction and abuse, albeit lower than that of Schedule I and II drugs. The classification of methaqualone as a Schedule I drug underscores the severity of its health risks and the lack of legitimacy in its medical use.