Prescription medications are a type of controlled substance. They are only available with a doctor’s recommendation and when procured from a licensed pharmacy. Generally speaking, medications are subject to prescription drug regulations because they pose a risk of abuse, create a possibility for negative medical outcomes or interact with other substances.
They may also have a number of contraindications that make their administration dangerous without medical oversight. People caught possessing drugs without a prescription are at risk of prosecution. Police officers can arrest someone for possessing prescription antibiotics that belong to someone else.
Police officers may be more likely to use their discretion in scenarios where the substances they find do not have a strong association with abuse. Certain types of medications can be more dangerous than others because they are more likely to be abused. What types of medications have a strong association with illegal activity and misconduct?
1. Certain types of mental health drugs
A number of medications administered to people struggling with mental health issues have an association with abuse. Benzodiazepines, for example, are medications that people can misuse recreationally or become dependent on and take without medical oversight. Sleep medications prescribed to people for insomnia or chronic sleep issues are also associated with abuse.
2. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants
Many people seeking to abuse medications may already have a chemical dependence that they need to address. People can become reliant on opioid and opiate pain relievers.
They may then start buying medication on the unregulated market when their prescription ends. Muscle relaxants are also easy for people to become dependent on and abuse. Drugs like Flexeril could potentially lead to a police officer arresting the person caught in possession of that medication.
3. Prescription stimulants
Children, teenagers and adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may use prescription stimulants recommended by a physician. However, those same medications are abused by those who want to stay up all night to study or complete a work project.
Stimulants are among the most in-demand prescription drugs on the unregulated market. If police officers find someone in possession of Ritalin, Adderall or similar drugs without appropriate packaging or a valid prescription, they may arrest that person.
Individuals facing prescription drug charges may face many of the same penalties and social stigma as those accused of possessing prohibited drugs. Fighting back against drug possession charges may help people avoid prison, fines, probation and a lasting criminal record.