People get prescribed medication they don’t need for a number of reasons. Perhaps you have robust immune system and you bounced back from an injury much more quickly than expected. Maybe you haven’t had as many symptoms, so you’ve scaled back on your dosage. You may think that because the prescription is in your name and either you or your insurance policy paid for the pills that they are yours to do with what you will.
However, all prescribed medications are controlled substances. That’s why you need a prescription from your doctor to access these substances. The only legal way to possess and use prescription medication is to follow the exact medical orders of your doctor. Giving them to a loved one or selling them to a co-worker is a violation of state and federal laws and could result in your arrest.
Prescriptions are controlled for public safety
Generally speaking, medications are available via prescription from a doctor when they pose a risk of abuse, addiction or damage to public health. Over-consumption of antibiotics, for example, leads to antibiotic-resistant strains that can prove harder to treat or more deadly. Although no one abuses antibiotic medications recreationally, these drugs are still controlled for the benefit of the public.
When it comes to stronger medications, there is more risk involved for the public. Abuse of powerful drugs can lead to addiction, dependence, overdose and death. It can also lead to secondary crimes as those struggling with addiction take whatever steps necessary to obtain their next fix.
People abuse all kinds of drugs
Although the media has been spending a lot of time discussing the threat of opioid and opiate abuse that then leads to heroin abuse, painkillers are not the only prescribed drugs that get abused. Yes, morphine, codeine, Fentanyl, oxycodone and oxymorphone get abused and have a thriving unregulated market for their sale and purchase. However, many other medications are also popular and commonly abused.
Prescription depressants, such as benzodiazepines, are also popular for abuse. This class of drugs includes Valium, Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan, among others. Although they are prescribed for anxiety, grief and similar issues, people can abuse these drugs with devastating consequences.
There is also plenty of demand for prescribed stimulants. Many times these drugs get prescribed for the treatment of ADD or ADHD, but people have found they have other uses as well. High school and college students may consume or even crush and insufflate (snort) these pills to cram for exams or finish major school projects. Even sleep aids, like Ambien, can be abused.
No matter the reason why or the price offered for your prescribed drugs, it’s a mistake to sell or give them to anyone else. If that person gets caught, decides to drive and causes an accident or has a medical event, you could end up facing serious criminal charges.
