Drug diversion

Drug diversion is a medical and legal concept involving the transfer of a legally-prescribed controlled substance from the individual for whom it was prescribed to another person for any illicit use. The definition varies slightly among different jurisdictions, but the transfer of a controlled substance alone usually does not constitute "diversion," since certain controlled substances that are prescribed to a child are intended to be administered by an adult, as directed by a medical professional (the prescriber). The term is named for "diverting" said drugs from their original, intended, licit medical purpose.

Alternately, in some jurisdictions, drug diversion programs are available to first time offenders of drug laws, which "divert" offenders from the criminal justice system to a program of education and rehabilitation.

The definition of "drug diversion" is not all-inclusive or all-encompassing, in the sense that it does not account for the potential of any substance, chemical, formulation, molecule, medication, or "drug" in the broadest sense to be diverted from one individual to another; it is not exclusive to controlled substances, as even substances that are not "scheduled" (neither "controlled" per, regulated by, nor listed in the Controlled Substances Act or related analogues and derivatives, which are regulated in the United States by the Federal Analogue Act.

Even medication sold over-the-counter or behind the counter can be diverted from one individual to another for purposes of substance abuse, often for recreational purposes and/or as a means of self-medicating that have hitherto been improperly or insufficiently treated (perhaps due to not being "taken seriously" by medical providers) or due to a patient's inability to access primary health care services due to not being insured; specific to the U.S., many Americans neither have nor qualify for health insurance coverage in any form. Perhaps most commonly, diversion serves to aid clandestine chemistry and production of methaqualone, glutethimide, ethinamate, ethchlorvynol, methyprylon.

OTC medications that can be misused (used recreationally (depending on one's perspective) include diphenhydramine, doxylamine, chlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, propylhexedrine, dextromethorphan, levmetamfetamine, nicotine replacement therapy products, oral caffeine dosage forms, vitamins, minerals, and dietary or nutritional supplements. Medication containing the sympathomimetic amines ephedrine and pseudoephedrine can be purchased without a prescription, albeit behind the counter of the pharmacy upon showing ID, signing a log and legal disclaimer, and not exceeding monthly purchase limits, as defined by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005.

Theoretically, prescription drugs defined as "controlled substances" (i.e. prescription drugs regulated or "scheduled" by the Controlled Substances Act) are the most likely to be misused or diverted.

Chemical classes of commonly diverted controlled substances include:

According to the United States Department of Justice, "Most pharmaceuticals abused in the United States are diverted by doctor shopping, forged prescriptions, theft and, increasingly, via the Internet." To reduce the occurrence of pharmaceutical diversion by doctor shopping and prescription fraud, almost all states have established prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) that facilitate the collection, analysis, and reporting of information regarding pharmaceutical drug prescriptions.