You may have heard that taking and sharing prescription drugs is legal. For example, if you have sleep issues, you may think it’s okay to take pills from your family medicine cabinet instead of a drug dealer. The truth is, nothing could be further from the truth. According to the Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, federal and state laws make using or sharing these medications illegally. In this post, we will address some issues concerning prescription drugs and the law.
Why People Try Prescription Drugs?
Prescription drugs are often abused because they have less stigma than illegal drugs. Also, if they are in the medicine cabinet at home, they are easily accessible to other family members, including teenagers. Prescription drugs are considered safer than street drugs because doctors prescribe them. But with the growing opioid epidemic, parents need to curb prescription drug abuse. It should be taken as seriously as if the teen were caught with illegal drugs.
What Are the Commonly Abused Drugs?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines abuse as “taking a drug in a way or in a dose that is not prescribed; taking someone else’s prescription even for a legitimate medical problem such as pain, or taking a drug to feel high.” There are three types of commonly abused drugs. The first one is the Opioids or painkillers, including Demerol, Morphine, Norco, Codeine, OxyContin, and Vicodin. The second is the CNS (Central Nervous System) depressants like tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics used for anxiety and sleep disorder treatment. And lastly, the Stimulants that are used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine.
Is There a Law for Prescription Drugs?
Prescription drugs are considered controlled substances. Under Title 21 of the Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration’s Controlled Substances Act, prescription drugs are only available with a doctor’s prescription. This law states that “controlled substances may not be dispensed without a written prescription from a physician.” Even if a doctor prescribes a medication, this can sometimes be against the law. If a doctor prescribes too many pills knowing that they will be resold or that the amount of the drug is too large for a patient, this can be considered a criminal offense. In some states, possession of prescription drugs is illegal. This includes laws involving the unlawful possession of prescription drugs. It may also be illegal to carry prescription pills, even if your doctor has prescribed them. You may be held responsible if the medication you give causes harm to another person.