Drug diversion
Drug Diversion
Drug diversion (pronunciation: /drʌg dɪˈvɜːʃən/) is a medical and legal term referring to the transfer of any legally prescribed controlled substance from the individual for whom it was prescribed to another person for any illicit use. The etymology of the term "diversion" comes from the Latin diversio, meaning "turning aside".
Definition
Drug diversion is a significant issue in the fields of public health, law enforcement, and pharmacy. It involves the misdirection of drugs from legal and medically necessary uses towards uses that are illegal and typically not medically authorized.
Types of Drug Diversion
There are several types of drug diversion, including but not limited to:
- Doctor Shopping: This involves a patient obtaining controlled substances from multiple healthcare practitioners without the prescribers' knowledge of other prescriptions.
- Prescription Forgery: This involves altering or creating a false prescription to obtain controlled substances.
- Pill Mills: These are clinics, doctors, or pharmacies that prescribe or dispense powerful narcotics inappropriately or for non-medical reasons.
Implications
Drug diversion can lead to serious public health issues, such as opioid addiction and overdose. It also has legal implications, as it is a criminal act that can result in imprisonment.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for drug diversion include prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), education for healthcare providers, and law enforcement efforts.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Drug diversion
- Wikipedia's article - Drug diversion
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