One of the significant problems in the area of pharmaceutical diversion in this country lies in the millions of dosage units of prescription drugs that are shipped into the United States to our citizens. Some are consumed directly by the person who orders the drug, and others are trafficked in America’s streets to contribute to the abuse and diversion issues we face.
Maine recently passed a state law, effective in October 2013, allowing its citizens to order pharmaceuticals from Canada and a few other countries, in violation of federal law. This is similar to the actions of states that have passed medical and now recreational marijuana laws in direct violation of federal statutes. Both instances are not only illegal but also, in my opinion, a very bad idea. Plenty of examples of abuse already exist in the legal marijuana arena; these kinds of legal maneuvers can only worsen prescription drug problems. [Read more…]