If you’re a patient with a legal prescription for opioids and you’re in the habit of sharing your pills with a friend or relative who complains of a bad headache or any type of pain, then you are actually committing a felony in the United States. At least that’s what an article written by Jing Cao for Bloomberg is saying.
Few know sharing opioids is a felony
According to a survey conducted by the National Safety Council, only 32 percent of respondents realise that sharing their medications is a felony that is punishable by at least a year in jail. About 26%, meanwhile, know it’s a misdemeanour. More disturbingly, about one in seven believe it’s all right to share their opioids with friends and family.
When someone is sharing their opioids, the legal aspect of it is the least of their problems. Opioids, after all, are dangerous medications. Considering that prescription drug overdose is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, it becomes absolutely important that awareness campaigns about the legalities of prescription medication be conducted to make patients know they can’t just share their pills to anyone. Maybe doctors should also get in on the action and brief their patients about their prescription drugs being just for them and not for anyone else.
If you want to read the story in full, click here.
