No Prescription? No Problem.

By Jessica Taloney Reporter

News Five Investigation: Illegal Pharmacies make getting drugs easy, but tracking them down is tough. No Prescription? No Problem.

Published: Mon, November 26, 2007 - 7:06 pm Last Updated: Wed, November 28, 2007 - 4:07 pm

Jessica Taloney

No prescription? No problem. A rapidly growing number of online pharmacies are making it easier for addicts to get their fix. A simple Google search turns up hundreds of pharmacies, most of which officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration say are illegal.
"It's strictly a money making operation," said Greg Borland of DEA. "In Alabama, prescription drugs are fast approaching the level of threat that methamphetamine is," said Borland, whose office is investigating at least six online pharmacies based in Alabama.
There are several things that make online pharmacies illegal, according to law enforcement officials. First, by not requiring a prescription from a local doctor, Borland says the pharmacies are ignoring the doctor, patient relationship required by law. Also, Borland says many of the pharmacies are based in Canada and Mexico, and it is illegal to ship narcotics across the border. "Unless you are a DEA licensed registrant and you're in compliance with all The DEA regulations," said Borland, who went on to say "I would presume they are in compliance with none of the regulations."
Ashley Clements, 32, is a recovering addict undergoing treatment at Home of Grace, a Christian rehab facility in Prichard. During the height of her addiction, Clements says she was ordering nearly 200 pills a day using an online pharmacy.
"I had so many places that I could get them that if one place didn't work out I could go somewhere else," she said.
Clements knows first hand how it easy it is to get the drugs. She says all she had to do was claim she had back pain and the online pharmacies would send strong pain killers right to her door.
"You go on there and fill out a questionnaire. They ask you what would you like to order, and you click on Lortab," she said.
Jennifer Roberson, 28, is also a recovering addict at Home of Grace. While she didn't purchase her drugs online, she knew the option was out there. "I was always afraid they were going to catch my package from point A to point B, and I wouldn't get my drugs," said Roberson.
But, Borland says actually tracking the pharmacies, intercepting the packages, and tracing it to the drug user isn't easy. Borland says online pharmacies use hundreds of different email addresses, so it's hard to identify whether they are investigating several versions of the same pharmacy or multiple separate pharmacies.
Nonetheless, Borland insists federal officials are making strides when it comes to sophisticated online investigations, though it is much more challenging than chasing street dealers.
Borland says anyone who believes they've come across an illegal pharmacy can report it by calling 1-877-RXABUSE. A website is also set up to report abuse: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.