Law Enforcement Perspective on Prescription Drug Abuse

The Chippewa Falls Police Department has long been committed to combating illegal drug use.  In order to effectively fight this problem, law enforcement must constantly evaluate ever changing drug trends to identify the most current drug threats. Prescription drug abuse has become that threat and deserves our attention.  Prescription drug abuse has always existed but was just overshadowed by other drug problems.  Today however, prescription drug abuse has become more prevalent and the devastating effects are finally being realized.

As a law enforcement agency, we have always worked to control a wide variety of illegal drugs being used throughout our region.   Marijuana, cocaine, LSD and even heroin have always been in the spotlight.  Only a few years ago, methamphetamine emerged as our number one drug concern and for good reason.  With methamphetamine, it is easy to see how devastating the drug can be.   Prescription drug abuse is just as devastating; however, it may not be quite as apparent to the average citizen. While law enforcement and communities have been busy fighting the more traditional illegal drugs, prescription drug abuse has silently grown.  Now this problem is well rooted within our own community.  Prescription drug abuse is not only a local problem but is now also being recognized as a new national drug problem.

While drugs such as Oxycontin, Methadone, Ritalin and Morphine have very legitimate uses, these drugs are also very desirable to persons who wish to abuse them. 

Within the past several years, area law enforcement began to notice an increase in the number of deaths that were associated with prescription drug abuse. Last year, the Police Department investigated two deaths that were directly attributed to the illegal use of prescription drugs.  In both cases several persons were criminally charged.

The abuse of prescription medication is now the most common form of drug abuse in our area.  From the perspective of the Police Department, it appears that prescription drug abuse is more common than even marijuana use.  People of all ages are abusing prescription medications ranging from middle school age to senior citizens.

This drug trend raises a number of interesting questions.  In particular, how did prescription medication abuse get to this level?  Perhaps the leading reason is availability.  Prescription drugs are everywhere.  Medical science has rendered many marvelous drugs and that’s good because we all benefit.  However, some of these drugs also have a high propensity for abuse. 

Take a look in your own medicine cabinet and you will likely find an old prescription bottle of Vicodin or some other pain medication your doctor prescribed to you or a family member some time ago.  That very medication is just sitting there waiting for somebody to take and abuse.

Because prescription medications are everywhere, abusers don’t have to look far to find what they want.  Our Department, like other area law enforcement agencies, has noticed a significant increase in medication thefts being reported.  Medications are also a target during residential burglaries.  Of course, law enforcement is always concerned that prescription medication may be the catalyst for pharmacy burglaries or robberies. 

Another factor that contributes to this problem may be the social acceptance of legal medication use. Prescription medicine is so common in our society that we forget they are really controlled substances that can be misused.  Just watch television for 30 minutes and you will likely see an ad or two about some type of drug.  During the ad, you are likely reminded to “ask your doctor” about the product.   Although the advertisement is meant to sell a legitimate product for a legitimate medical problem, these types of repeated messages change our perspective, leading us to assume that prescription drug use is totally acceptable for everyone and for everything.  As a result, we end up with a more casual view on prescription medications.

How people get these prescription drugs?  Although there are many ways, illegal diversion will usually fall under the categories of theft, deception or outright illegal sales and trading.

As was mentioned earlier, theft is a very common way of obtaining medication for abuse.  People must protect their medications just like other valuables.  We don’t typically keep large sums of money on the kitchen counter or in an unlocked cabinet, yet we put our prescription medications in these very locations.  Why do we make it so easy for someone to find and take?  Police officers hear stories every day about medication being stolen from the home by a family member, friend or visitor.

Deception commonly involves a couple of schemes.  This would include persons who seek prescription drugs by presenting “false symptoms to a health care professional in hopes of receiving a prescription.  Some are so bold as to ask for a specific drug during their medical visit.  There are also those who will forge prescriptions or alter a legitimate prescription to increase the quantity. 

Of course, there is the outright illegal sales and trading. Prescription medications are sold and traded on the street just like other illicit drugs such as marijuana or cocaine.  Some of these drugs are fruits of other crimes such as burglary or robbery.  Other times, it may be a person simply selling or trading his or her own prescription medication.  Our Department has even dealt with parents who have diverted their own children’s medication for use and sale.

With all the different avenues to obtain prescription drugs it should be no surprise that prescription drug abuse has become a major problem.   Law enforcement cannot solve this problem alone.  Just like other drug issues, it takes the entire community working together to resolve this problem.  After all, it is everyone’s problem.

Submitted by Wayne A Nehring, Chief of Police