Many of the greatest dangers facing Americans today lurk within their own medicine cabinets. Improperly storing prescription painkillers and sedatives can leave people vulnerable to medical and legal troubles.
A new danger has surfaced in Florida. The prescription medication Etizolam has gained popularity with teenagers and college students alike, particularly as a party drug. What’s scary about this problem is that Etizolam is illegal in the United States, but people can purchase the drug from the internet and have it shipped to their doorstep.
The drug is already reaching crisis levels in places like the United Kingdom.
Etizolam works similarly to sedatives like Valium and Xanax and doctors prescribe it in other countries for conditions like anxiety, insomnia and depression. However, health professionals have attributed Etizolam to a series of overdoses in the United States. Experts say Etizolam slows the respiratory system down so much that a person can stop breathing, especially when combined with other sedatives like alcohol.
Florida is on high alert for Etizolam
While Etizolam is neither legal nor regulated by the government, Florida has tried to get in front of the crisis by classifying the drug as a ubstance. Drugs classified as a Class I controlled substance have no medicinal use in the U.S. and a high potential for abuse.
If you’re found in possession of Etizolam, you could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Having a third-degree felony conviction on your record could also impact your life for years to come by affecting your ability to find housing or employment.
What differentiates Etizolam from the comparable drugs listed above is that it’s illegal for doctors to prescribe in the United States. That means it is highly unlikely that you would have a legitimate reason for possessing the drug. Given the nationwide opiate crisis, it’s unsurprising that the law has begun to crackdown on another abusable drug.
The best way to avoid any health or legal concerns from Etizolam or other non-prescription drugs is to steer clear of them.
