Before your doctor gives you a prescription, they will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition and overall health. This means that the medication, dosage and all other information on your prescription is for you and you only—both from a medical and legal standpoint.
That said, it is illegal to share your prescription medication with anyone else. In Wisconsin, distributing prescription drugs to others can lead to a felony charge.
What are the laws surrounding prescription medication?
Prescription drugs can either be controlled substances or noncontrolled substances. Controlled substances carry more potential for abuse or addiction, which is why the law heavily regulates their use and distribution.
Controlled substances consist of different schedules, with Schedule 1 drugs being the most dangerous and Schedule 5 the least dangerous. Some of the riskier prescription drugs include:
- Morphine
- Vicodin
- Oxycontin
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Amphetamines
While these drugs can benefit the prescription holder, they can be extremely dangerous to someone else. Hence, it is illegal to sell, distribute or share prescription drugs with anyone.
What if someone really needs it?
Sharing prescribed drugs can be a common practice among friends or family members. It may also be a popular exchange in colleges or universities, especially for stimulants like Adderall.
However, sharing any type of prescription drug is illegal regardless of the reason. Even if your friend is in a lot of pain or needs to focus on exams, you cannot legally share your medication with them. The same applies even if your friend has the same prescription.
Aside from being illegal, sharing drugs can put others at risk. Prescription medications can be highly addictive, and some can also cause negative side effects.
What are the potential penalties for sharing prescription drugs?
In Wisconsin, delivering controlled substances can lead to felony charges. “Delivering” can simply mean giving the drug to someone else, with or without a monetary exchange.
The severity of penalties may depend on the type of drug shared as well as the amount. For example, sharing Schedule 2 drugs may carry more severe punishments than sharing Schedule 4 drugs. Nevertheless, the punishment for this offense is rarely less than a felony charge.
Do you need legal help?
As you can see, sharing your medication can be a serious crime. If you are facing such accusations, don’t hesitate to consult a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help assess your case, navigate your legal options and fight for the best outcome possible.
