New York residents may be aware of the fact that both illegal and controlled substances have certain legal restrictions and regulations, and that either can get someone in trouble with the law. But do they know the difference between these two substance types?
The Legal Dictionary states that controlled substances have been declared illegal for both use and sale. However, they can still be prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons. Many narcotics fall under this category, as well as high grade painkillers. Controlled substances generally have a strong presence on the illegal drug market and are often bought from pharmaceuticals and resold for large sums of money. They can also cause a lot of physical distress in the person taking them. This includes addiction, mental and physical harm, personality changes, headaches, hallucinations, nausea, and even death in some cases.
Foundations Recovery Network highlights the difference between the two categories. They state that illegal substances cannot be manufactured or sold anywhere within the country. This includes by the pharmacies. Many of these drugs hold no therapeutic benefit, either. Instead, they only pose a risk to the health of the individual taking them. They are decided to be illegal based on the harm they do and the black market culture surrounding them. They cause severe addictions and health problems.
In either case, a person can potentially end up in hot water if they’re in possession of these substances. Illegal substances are outright banned, but controlled substances can become illegal if abused. It’s important to keep both of these things in mind in order to avoid issue with the law.