The CVS Pharmacy, Inc. the biggest operator of retail pharmacies in America just admitted to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to have been selling to criminals the key ingredient to make methamphetamine so they can sell it on the streets to our nation's children.
Although $77.6 million will be paid in penalties, it is sad to think of the number of teens and adults that have gotten hooked due to this corporate irresponsibility. "This case shows what happens when companies fail to follow their ethical and legal responsibilities,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. “CVS knew it had a duty to prevent methamphetamine trafficking, but it failed to take steps to control the sale of a regulated drug used by methamphetamine cooks as an essential ingredient for their poisonous stew.”
Narconon East U.S., a non-profit, drug rehabilitation administration organization has seen the damages in it's Narconon drug rehabilitation centers of methamphetamine abuse. Unfortunately, most of the addicts coming in are young adults. Many report being hooked after just one use.
Narconon drug education materials explain that methamphetamine is a man-made stimulant that causes aggression and violent or psychotic behavior. It also happens to be the hardest drug to treat. In the 1960's methamphetamine pharmaceuticals were widely used and abused. It wasn't until 1971 when the Controlled Substances Act placed methamphetamine in the Schedule II class that the widespread abuse of this drug was reduced. Today it still remains popular as a club drug due to it's intense high, however, it then results in a "severe crash" when the effects wear off.
The problem with crystal meth, one of the main forms of methamphetamine, is that it so rapidly increases the heart rate and blood vessels that it damages the small blood vessels in the brain and this can cause the user to have a stroke. Overdose is also common which results in elevated body temperature, convulsions and death.
CVS improperly monitored it's distribution of a key ingredient to make methamphetamine in 25 states allowing criminals to make multiple purchases on the same day of the drug's ingredient, according to the DEA.
Michele M. Leonhart, the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration stated, “CVS’s flagrant violation of the law resulted in the company becoming a direct link in the methamphetamine supply chain."
It is unfortunate the DEA has to spend it's time and resources correcting retail outlets like CVS, however, it does point up the fact that our nation's drug problem is very close to home. Narconon East U.S. explains that the best method of keeping our children drug-free is through drug education which lays out all the facts about a drug and the truth concerning them. Only then can children and adults alike make informed decisions.
If you would like more information on a specific drug or know of someone that needs help in overcoming addiction contact Narconon East U.S. at 877-237-3307.
