One thing you should be aware of as someone who is accused of a drug crime is that it is possible to be held accountable for sharing prescription medications, even if you didn’t sell them or intend it as a crime. Prescription medications require a prescription for a reason. They can be dangerous, and they have interactions, in some cases. For that reason, no one should use prescription medications without a doctor’s approval.
Why is it against the law to share prescriptions?
It is against the law to use a drug without a prescription and to give one away to someone, even if they have a prescription. Why?
First, you don’t know how you’ll react to a medication, and there is no record of it being prescribed to you. If something goes wrong, there’s a risk that the medical team won’t know what to do to stop a reaction or interaction.
Next, you don’t know if a dosage is right for you or someone else to whom you’re giving one of the drugs. It might seem harmless, but a change in dosage could be less effective or cause serious side effects.
Finally, giving someone a drug, even if they have a prescription, isn’t okay. Medical providers give prescriptions for a certain number of medications. There are a few reasons for restricting dosages.
First, if a drug is intended for 14 doses and you take only 10 because you share, then you may not have enough or you may not take enough to eliminate your health problem. Second, if you take more than prescribed, you could end up addicted or suffering from side effects of long-term use.
Why is it a crime if you don’t make money off the drug transaction?
If you have the intent to share drugs, even if you don’t sell them, then you can be charged with possession with the intent to distribute. You may think you’re doing a friend or family member a favor, but the reality is that you’re breaking a law that is in place to protect the people you think you’re helping.
Taking prescription medications that are out of date, the wrong dose or for someone else could be harmful, so the government is strict on prescription drug abuse and sales. Only a medical professional with an appropriate degree has the right to issue a prescription, and only pharmacists can dispense them, making your transaction illegal.