Posted by Appolyon on September 8, 2001, at 10:32:51
I see instances on this board where people have attempted to ask others to share unused medications through the mail. It is not for me to comment on the ethics of such a practice, and the board admin has plainly intervened to stop such exchanges here, so that is no concern.
From my experience with public safety professions, I know the crimes related to distribution of drugs do not begin when a person possesses a substance. By the laws of most states and by federal law, it is a crime to attempt to obtain drugs, at least from a U.S. source, without proper authority. A post asking for unprescribed medications provides law enforcement agencies basis to obtain a warrant requiring that Internet networks identify the source of the post, and allowing the agency to search your home, tap your phone or, if they find sufficient evidence, arrest the person responsible and refer them for prosecution for a crime of attempting or conspiring to obtain drugs.
Again, I don't say this to put anyone down. It just seems most of the experience here is more related to pharmacology than to criminal law, and in my experience, arrests and successful prosecutions for attempting to obtain various drugs are quite common. If you care about you freedom, be careful.
poster:Appolyon
thread:78257
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010907/msgs/78257.html