You know that the painkillers that you’re using are a controlled substance. That’s why you had to go to the doctor and get a prescription, and then you had to have the prescription filled at the pharmacy. These are legal drugs to use, but you have to take the proper steps to get them
However, maybe you have a friend, a family member or even a roommate who asks if they can have some of those painkillers. Perhaps they’ve been dealing with pain of their own and they want to find out if the painkillers help before they pay to go to the doctor. Can you share with them in a situation like this?
Sharing medication is still illegal
The reason that people think that sharing is legal is often just because their intentions are good. They know that drug dealing is illegal and that they shouldn’t be selling medication. But they’re clearly not trying to make money and they’re just trying to help someone, so they think that sharing substances for free – especially when they already have the legal prescription – should be fine.
But the reality is that it’s still illegal. You can’t share or sell your medications. The only person who is allowed to possess or use that medication is the one with the prescription. Even if you give it to the other person without charging them money, you still could face legal ramifications for distributing those drugs illegally.
What should you do next?
If something like this does happen, it’s critical that you understand your legal options. Drug charges are nothing to take lightly, even if it was an honest mistake.