California Lawmakers Crack Down on Craigslist for Allowing Illegal Prescription Drug Deals

An anonymous seller posted on Craigslist: “Had a left over bottle [of Norco] from a car accident … I’m not the police. You shouldn’t be either.”

Norco is a strong prescription painkiller. The anonymous poster was attempting to sell his now illegal prescription drugs like any other street corner drug dealer.

Since the posting on August 30^th, two lawmakers – Senator Ted Lieu of California, and Senator Tick Segerblom of Nevada – have been sending warning letters to Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, demanding that his website “stop encouraging or participating in the illegal dealings of narcotics.”

“These advertisements make it alarmingly easy for people to acquire these drugs illegally,” Lieu said in his last letter to Buckmaster.He called the illegal prescription drug sales a “life or death matter.” But so far, he has heard nothing from the Craigslist CEO.

Although Buckmaster could not be reached for comment, Craigslist founder Craig Newark did point out that the company has a policy against ads for illegal activity, including illegal prescription drug sales. Although the Terms of Use policy does not specify that the sale of prescription drugs is prohibited, it does say that the “distribution, provision or receipt of illegal goods or services” is prohibited.

Several years ago, the company received similar missives about their “Adult Services” section, which many claimed allowed prostitution, which is illegal in most of the United States.

The problem came to the attention of the lawmakers through a documentary about one man’s addiction to illegal prescription drugs. Chris Bell, a California filmmaker, said that he became addicted to pain killers after hip replacement surgery, and when his doctor cut him off, he turned to Craigslist.

“It went from Vicodin to Percocet, then fentanyl patches” — a painkiller 100 times stronger than morphine, Bell said. “You get into the black market and you go with whatever people have.”

The U.S Drug Enforcement Administration “is aware that addicts and criminals use Craigslist and other Internet sites to sell prescription drugs,” said spokeswoman Sarah Pullen. She said that the DEA was concerned about illegal prescription drug sales through the website, but she could not say what the agency was doing about it due to policy restrictions.

Lieu wants Buckmaster to respond and simply pull the illegal prescription drug ads off the website, but he says that if Craigslist does not take action, he will contact law enforcement to take action for them.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Charges of Illegal Prescription Drug Abuse

If you have received criminal drug abuse charges, or are suspected of abusing illegal prescription drugs from Hydrocodone to Morphine, you are not automatically guilty, and you do not give up any of your rights. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help defend you. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Do not let criminal drug charges such as trafficking or possession ruin your reputation and career prospects. Contact us today. 803.252.4800.