A woman from Greer, SC has been arrested on drug charges after posing as a social worker and hospital employee to steal prescription drugs.
Allegedly, 47-year-old Christine Deyoung knocked on doors in a Greenville neighborhood, and told people that she worked for the Department of Social Services and was inspecting living conditions in the area. One woman told police that Deyoung asked to see her medications, then spilled the pills all over the floor and put one in her mouth.
Greenville police arrested Deyoung on Sunday, April 7th, for impersonating an officer and for drug possession.
Deyoung has allegedly told officers that she is addicted to prescription drugs, including pain medications, and needs help.
It is not known if she has an attorney.
Prescription Drug Abuse and Prescription Fraud Are Serious Drug Charges
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 20% of Americans use prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This can lead to prescription drug addiction and abuse. It is a problem that is growing nationally.
Experts do not know exactly why prescription drug abuse is such a rapidly increasing problem, although they point to availability of prescription drugs as one of the causes. Doctors are more often prescribing pain killers and sedatives, including tranquilizers, steroids, and opioid drugs to treat ailments, so most people have access to strong drugs just by looking in their medicine cabinets.
Recently, the FDA gathered an advisory panel to discuss whether or not to reclassify hydrocodone – a strong opioid painkiller – as a Schedule II pain medication. Many other opioid pain killers, including the chemically similar oxycodone, are already Schedule II medications, which means doctors cannot prescribe refills of the drug, and patients must see their doctors to acquire refills. Hydrocodone is one of the few opioid medications that does not face this challenge. Some doctors argue that this makes pain management for their patients much easier; however, proponents of the change argue that reclassifying the drug will allow doctors to keep a closer eye on potential addicts.
The argument is a prime example of the quickly-growing problem of prescription drug abuse and addiction in the United States.
In South Carolina, there are laws which govern the obtainment, possession, and distribution of prescription drugs. These laws affect the general public as well as the doctor prescribing the medication. If you have been arrested for prescription drugs, we will investigate your case from every angle, determine whether an illegal search took place and seek to have your charges reduced or even dismissed.
Common drugs targeted for prescription drug prosecution include:
- Painkillers including Hydrocodone, Lortab, Oxycodone, Percocet, and Oxycontin abuse
- Depressants such as Valium and Xanax
- Stimulants including Ritalin and Dexedrine
- Opioids including Codeine, Morphine, and Opium
- Steroids including Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, and Equipoise, as well as OTC drug abuse.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Prescription Drug Abuse Charges in South Carolina
If you have been arrested for prescription drug fraud, you face stiff penalties and a ruined reputation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm will investigate your case from every angle, determine whether an illegal search took place, and seek to have your prescription drug abuse charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact the prescription fraud attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. We will investigate your case from every angle, determine whether an illegal search took place and seek to have your charges reduced or even dismissed. 803.252.4800.