Grand Jury Report: Man accused of trying to steal drugs

"On that date, he is accused of possessing hydrocodone and acetaminophen."

So now being in possession of these cough syrup and tylenol is illegal?

I understand what they are used for, but possession? The laws are getting out of control.

Peter,
He was accused of stealing and possession of the drugs. That should make a difference?

I believe there is more to Hydrocodone than just a cough syrup. Are you sure it was just Tylenol?

Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone (marketed as Vicodin, Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Tussionex, Vicoprofen) is an opioid derived from either of the naturally occurring opiates codeine or thebaine. Hydrocodone is an orally active narcotic analgesic and antitussive. The typical therapeutic dose of 5 to 10 mg is pharmacologically equivalent to 30 to 60 mg of oral codeine.

Sales and production of this drug have increased significantly in recent years, as have diversion and illicit use. Hydrocodone is commonly available in tablet, capsule and syrup form.

As a narcotic, hydrocodone relieves pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. It may be taken with or without food, but should never be combined with alcohol. It may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, as well as other drugs that cause drowsiness. It is in FDA pregnancy category C: its effect on an unborn embryo or fetus is not clearly known and pregnant women should consult their physicians before taking it. Common side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, drowsiness, euphoria, vomiting, and constipation. Some less common side effects are allergic reaction, blood disorders, changes in mood, mental fogginess, anxiety, lethargy, difficulty urinating, spasm of the ureter, irregular or depressed respiration and rash.

Hydrocodone can be habit-forming, and can lead to physical and psychological addiction. In the U.S., pure hydrocodone and forms containing more than 15 mg per dosage unit are considered Schedule II drugs. Those containing less than 15 mg per dosage unit are Schedule III drugs. Hydrocodone is typically found in combination with other drugs such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin and homatropine methylbromide. In the UK it is listed as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The presence of acetaminophen in hydrocodone-containing products deters many drug users from taking excessive amounts. However, some users will get around this by extracting a portion of the acetaminophen using hot/cold water, taking advantage of the water-soluble element of the drug. It is not uncommon for addicts to have liver problems from taking excessive amounts of acetaminophen over a long period of time--taking 10–15 grams of acetaminophen in a period of 24 hours typically results in severe hepatotoxicity. It is this factor that leads many addicts to use only single entity opiates such as OxyContin.

Symptoms of hydrocodone overdosage include respiratory depression, extreme somnolence, coma, stupor, cold/clammy skin, sometimes bradycardia, and hypotension. A severe overdose may involve circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest and/or death.

http://www.webfavorites4dumbbells.com/Hydrocodone.html

John the way I read it is that possession of those items is the charge, not possession of stolen property. And why isn't the person who had them originally in any trouble? Where did he steal them from?

Bea,
I understand its a narcotic, thanks. As I stated I know what is used for.

Peter,
Chances are they had a prescription for them.

He was charged with stealing and possessing the drugs. Off hand I'd say it does not matter who owned them, since the owner was not charged.

Read the post again, should be easy enough to figure out. You steal drugs and have them in your possession, you can be arrested for both crimes (possession of controlled drugs, not your own and stolen, is a crime Peter).

Why is that hard to get?

What's hard to get is that the active ingredient in tylenol is illegal to possess. So if I have amassed a bunch of bottles, am I breaking the law?

Rather stupid question, if you got them legally.

This guy is accused of stealing them. Why can't you see the difference?

Peter, I believe you'd be happier in a third-world country. You could walk into a pharmacy and WITHOUT a prescription or preliminary doctor-visit, purchase drugs at a third or less cost (than here). Of course the added expense and inconvenience is aimed at consumer safety. ...Just like '(t)he presence of acetaminophen in hydrocodone-containing products.'

The way the blurb is written does make it appear as if acetaminophen is being treated as a controlled substance along with hydrocodone.

I really hope that Peter isn't taking hydrocodone for a cough.

As a nurse I can tell you that hydrocodone is routinely combined with acetaminophen aka tylenol aka APAP. It is usually listed as hydrocodone/APAP 5/500. This dose = 5mg hydrocodone, 500mg acetaminophen (also comes in 7.5/500 and 10/500). Non-generic names include vicoden and lortab. This med is often favored for surgical post op pain. Occasionally the acetaminophen dose is 325mg which is the equivalent of regular strength tylenol, 500mg is extra strength. This person was probably in possession of hydrocodone/apap tabs.

Michelle, exactly the point I was making. Thank you.
Regardless if they were prescription or otc, stealing is a crime.
Most of us are baffled by the fact that Peter just doesn't get it.

I believe the confusion stems from the fact that it does appear as if the man is being charged with possessing hydrocodone pills AND acetaminophen pills. Unless acetaminophen is considered a controlled substance, it seems almost ridiculous to even mention the acetaminophen as it is the hydrocodone part that is the problem. If you are arrested for possession of crack, they do not say that you were arrested for possessing cocaine and baking powder.

Time to lay off of Peter. It is confusing the way it is written. Hydrocodone mixed with Acetaminophen is percocet, vicadin, etc. The way it reads it sounds like he was being charged for possessing a controlled substance AND some Tylenol. Brandon also offers a good analogy with the crack.