What are the two main reasons heroin lacks legitimate medical use in the U.S.?

Heroin lacks legitimate medical use in the U.S. primarily due to its highly addictive nature and the significant dangers associated with its use. The substance is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which indicates that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in treatment within the country.

The addictive properties of heroin lead to severe physical and psychological dependence, which poses serious public health concerns. Users can quickly develop tolerance, needing more of the drug to achieve the same effects, which increases the risk of overdose and other health complications.

Additionally, the dangers of heroin extend beyond addiction. The drug can have profound effects on the central nervous system, leading to respiratory depression, which can be fatal. The potential for overdose, along with the risks of infection from needle use and the social and legal complications of heroin use, further solidify its exclusion from legitimate medical practices.

In contrast, the other choices present factors that, while relevant to drug use and prescribing practices, do not encapsulate the primary reasons for the absence of medical legitimacy for heroin as effectively as its high addictive potential and associated dangers do.