College students have many different reasons that they may consider sharing prescription drugs. For instance, someone may live with a number of roommates when they get a prescription from their doctor. They may decide to share with their roommates who have similar symptoms, who may not have health insurance, or who simply don’t want to take the time – or pay the money required – to go to the doctor themselves.
In other words, they’re not trying to use these prescription medications as recreational drugs. They know that doing that would be illegal, as is selling the pills for a profit. But they know that they can help their roommate by sharing the medicine they already have, which is cheaper and more efficient than having that person also go to the doctor. Is it okay to do this with such good intentions?
It is still illegal
Intentions aside, sharing prescription drugs is illegal and can lead to drug charges. The same can be said for possession of prescription drugs by someone who does not have a prescription. If the authorities were to discover either of these facts, an arrest could be made and there may be allegations of drug dealing or distribution.
The thing to remember is that only someone who has a prescription from their doctor is authorized to use a controlled substance. If that rule is violated, even if no one was selling drugs, it can still lead to legal charges.
College students could very well make a well-meaning mistake and find themselves under arrest. If so, they need to know about all the legal options at their disposal.
