Prescription Drugs

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Lesson goal To introduce students to Virginia laws related to prescription drugs and the serious penalties for violating these laws.

Students will learn: Virginia laws concerning controlled substances PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Students will learn: Virginia laws concerning controlled substances Virginia laws restricting prescription drug possession and use Prescription drug abuse is a serious health and safety threat to young people.

What is a prescription drug? PRESCRIPTION DRUGS What is a prescription drug? A prescription drug is any drug required by federal law or regulation to be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription, including finished dosage forms and active ingredients subject to § 503(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 353(b)).

Prescription drug abuse PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Prescription drug abuse Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem for teens, both nationally and here in Virginia.

Prescription drugs in the U.S. Approximately four billion two million prescription drugs are purchased in the United States each year – that is about 12.5 individual prescriptions for every man, woman, and child currently living in the U.S.

Prescription drugs in the U.S. These drugs are only safe if prescribed by a doctor and used as directed. Otherwise they can be addictive and can cause health problems, including overdose, especially when used with other drugs or alcohol. How widespread is prescription drug abuse?

Prescription drugs in the U.S. About 7 million Americans aged 12 and older abuse prescription drugs in a year.

Prescription drugs in the U.S. Chart from the National Institute of Health (NIH)

Virginia law & prescription drugs A prescription drug is a controlled substance, defined in Code of Virginia § 54.1-3401 as a drug or substance listed in Schedules I through VI of the Virginia Drug Control Act. Depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential, the Act places controlled substances into five categories called “schedules.” (See Lesson Handout)

Penalties for drug crimes PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Penalties for drug crimes Click to show first question:

Penalties for drug crimes, cont. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Penalties for drug crimes, cont.

Virginia law & prescription drugs, cont. Virginia law defines three major types of drug crimes: Possession Distribution Manufacturing

Virginia law & prescription drugs, cont. Possession occurs when a person possesses any controlled substance without a valid prescription. Distribution or sale occurs when a person sells, provides, gives away, delivers, or distributes a controlled substance. Manufacturing occurs when a person produces a controlled substance without legal authorization, or possesses chemicals used in the manufacture of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture.

Which describes prescription drug abuse? PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Which describes prescription drug abuse? Taking a prescription drug that was not prescribed for you Taking more of a prescription drug than you’re supposed to Taking a prescription drug for a reason other than you’re supposed to All of the above #4 – all of the above Click to show first question:

Why do people abuse drugs? PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Why do people abuse drugs? Prescription drug misuse occurs when someone takes a prescription drug that was prescribed for another person or in a manner or dosage other than what was prescribed. Some of these reasons are to: Get high Help with studies Control pain All of these are illegal, and all are potentially harmful.

Which drugs are abused? Major categories include: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Which drugs are abused? Major categories include: Pain killers, including OxyContin, Percocet, and Demerol. These can cause drowsiness, physical dependence, and can slow breathing so much that it can cause death. Depressants, including Valium, Ambien, and Xanax. These can make you feel drowsy and confused; abuse can cause shallow breathing and even death. Stimulants, including Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall. These can cause anxiety, panic, tremors, irregular heartbeat, high body temperature, and heart attack. Stopping suddenly can cause users to become tired, depressed, even suicidal.

Which drugs are abused?, cont. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Which drugs are abused?, cont. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that you can buy at any pharmacy or grocery store are also abused. Most commonly abused is Dextromethorphan (DXM), the active ingredient in OTC cough and cold medicine. It can cause impaired motor and mental functioning, numbness, nausea/vomiting, loss of coordination, hallucination, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Withdrawal symptoms PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Type of drug OTC Drugs – DMX Unknown Stimulants Depression, tiredness, sleep problems. People who suddenly stop taking stimulants can become tired, depressed and in some cases, suicidal. Depressants Must be discussed with a health care provider; barbiturate withdrawal can cause a serious abstinence syndrome that may include seizures. Pain Killers Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), leg movements.

Are prescription and OTC drugs safe? PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Are prescription and OTC drugs safe? 40 percent of teens consider the abuse of prescription drugs to be much safer than street drugs. 29 percent believe prescription pain relievers are not addictive. But in fact, they can be just as dangerous and addictive as street drugs.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Offenses at school Every Virginia school has signs marking a drug-free school zone. Within that zone, penalties are greater. If a student brings drugs to school, the school must notify local law enforcement. The student will then be subject to criminal action, as well as school disciplinary action such as expulsion. #4 – all of the above Click to show first question:

Drug searches at school PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Drug searches at school Can law enforcement can search for drugs at your school? Yes. Officers may periodically make unannounced visits to any public school to detect the presence of illegal drugs, and they may use drug dogs. If a law enforcement officer finds drugs in someone’s possession, the officer will confiscate them and charge the person with possession of a controlled substance in violation of Virginia law.

Driving under the influence PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Driving under the influence According to Code of Virginia §18.2-266, you can be charged with a DUI/DUID while you are under the influence of any controlled substance. The statute says that it is illegal for any person to drive a car while under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant or drug or combination of drugs, that impair his ability to drive or operate any motor vehicle.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Good Samaritan Law A drug overdose can cause death. But people may hesitate to call for vital medical help because they don’t want to get in trouble themselves. Under the Good Samaritan Law, if a person: reports an overdose to a firefighter, EMS personnel or law enforcement (usually by calling 911) identifies themselves as the one reporting the overdose and cooperates with law enforcement They are eligible for “affirmative defense” and may be protected from being convicted for certain possession or intoxication crimes. (Code of Virginia § 18.2-251.03)

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Help is available If you or anyone you know needs help with prescription drug abuse, talk to a trusted adult or check the Prescription Drugs section of VirginiaRules.org for this info: Local Community Services Boards: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/individuals- andfamilies/community-services-boards Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator: 1-800-662-HELP or www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov Have a Drug Problem, Need Help?: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/have-a-drug-problem-need-help

Review and recap You have learned: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Review and recap You have learned: Drug laws in Virginia define categories of drugs and types of offenses, and prescribe penalties for the possession, distribution, and manufacture of drugs; Prescription drug and over-the-counter drug abuse is a growing problem and there are laws that prohibit using these controlled substances in a way not as prescribed; and There are additional laws about bringing drugs to school that have both criminal and disciplinary consequences, including expulsion from school.

Photo credits Photos provided by: Generation Rx program PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Photo credits Photos provided by: Generation Rx program National Institute of Health Serge Bertasius Phtography from Free Digital Photos.net