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Online Pharmacies, Prescription Drug Abuse and iPredators

As the internet celebrates its 20th birthday in 2011, the growing number of people online continues to grow covering all global continents. Nielsen Online, International Telecommunications Union, GfK and World Population Stats estimate two billion people globally are internet users having grown by 480% from 2000-2011. Despite its already significant impact, the pace of new-technology introductions and number of internet users continues to grow at an accelerated rate with the growth of mobile digital technology and social networking paradigms. Digital technology has many benefits and offers incredible opportunities in every aspect of life. Unfortunately, digital technology also brings along harmful and destructive elements detrimental to online users and the global community. Cyber criminals, cyber bullies, cyber stalkers and online sexual predators are only a few of the nefarious groups of online predators. A new growing epidemic is the gradual escalation of prescription drug abuse, addiction and the illegal activities involved in acquisition and distribution of these highly addictive and toxic chemicals. The question, which must be explored, is whether international online pharmacies who readily sell mood/mind altering prescription medications to American consumers without prescriptions fall into the category of cyber criminals and what this writer has coined, iPredator. iPredator: A child or adult who engages in psychological and/or physical victimization of others motivated by; peer acceptance, malice, spite and criminal or deviant intent using digital communications technology, telecommunications or mobile devices. iPredators are motivated by deviant sexual fantasies, aggressive desires for power and control, retribution, religious absolution, political reprisal, psychiatric illness, psychological distortions and personal or financial gain. iPredators can be any age, male, female and not bound by socio-economic status or racial heritage.

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Access to online pharmacies has caused a rapid increase in drug abuse, addiction and the selfdestructive aspects drug abuse brings to the abuser, their loved ones and the community. In the United States, prescription grade and highly addictive powerful painkillers, sedatives, stimulants, and tranquilizers can be purchased from online pharmacy sites located outside the United States. Commonly purchased and abused pharmaceuticals include opioid painkillers, such as oxycodone (OxyContin) and those containing hydrocodone (Vicodin), sedatives and tranquilizers, such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) and stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), that are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sleep disorders. These are merely a small list of the plethora of mood/mind altering prescription grade medications available online.

To generate new consumers and revenue, these rogue pharmacy websites send out millions of email solicitations a year and some don't adhere to U.S. regulations requiring a physician's prescription for these medications. The U.S. Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act prohibits delivery of controlled substances not prescribed by a physician to consumers in America. Although the FDA has issued warnings to more than 100 online pharmacies for violations, the economic law of supply and demand trumps the FDA's attempts to squelch this growing epidemic. 1. States with the greatest expansion in high-speed Internet access also had the largest increase in admissions for treatment of prescription drug abuse. 2. Prescription drugs are fast replacing illegal substances on college campuses across the country. 3. The recent accelerated rise in the abuse of prescription narcotic painkillers corresponds with an increase in the presence of online pharmacies.

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Investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and University of Southern California (USC) found that states with the greatest development of high-speed Internet access correlated with the largest increase in admissions for treatment of prescription drug abuse. Their findings suggested that Internet growth might partly be answerable for the increase in prescription drug abuse. Pointing to online pharmacies is their data suggesting that the recent rise in the abuse of prescription narcotic painkillers corresponds with an increase in the presence of online pharmacies. The question remains is if these pharmacies know they're selling medications to consumers in geographic regions where it's illegal. The researchers paired data available on Internet access from the Federal Communications Commission with the number of admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities. Their data results found that each 10% increase in the availability of high-speed Internet service correlated with a 1% increase in admissions for prescription drug abuse. During the same period, admissions to treat drug and alcohol abuse either minimally increased or dropped. Admissions for abuse of alcohol, cocaine and heroin had minimal or negative growth during the same period. Based on their results, the researchers suggested that better surveillance of online prescription drug sales was warranted and aggressive efforts to curb illegitimate online pharmacies were necessary. Respected for their research and findings, these doctors and research scientists have little understanding of the magnitude of this problem. Online pharmacies continue to grow offering painkillers, sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers well aware they are illegal to purchase in America.

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The nonmedical use and abuse of prescription medications are a serious and growing public health problem in America. Senior Citizens are among those most vulnerable to prescription drug abuse or misuse because they are prescribed more medications than younger patients. Most people take prescription medications responsibly; however, an estimated 48 million people (ages 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in their lifetimes. Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. The National Institutes of Health estimates that nearly 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Steroid abuse is also on the rise. Steroids are prescription drugs that are legally prescribed to treat a variety of medical conditions that cause loss of lean muscle mass, such as cancer and AIDS. Men consistently report higher rates of steroid use than women do. In 2008, 2.5% of 12th grade males, versus 0.6% of 12th grade females, reported taking the drugs in the past year. Prescription drug abuse is generally the same between men and women, except among 12 to 17 year olds. In this age group, research conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that females are more likely to use psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes. Research has also shown that women in general are more likely to use narcotic pain relievers and tranquilizers for non-medical purposes.
1st drug class used by children aged 12 or older: 2008

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The number of teens and young adults (ages 12 to 25) who were new abusers of prescription painkillers grew from 400,000 in the 1980s to 2 million in 2000, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. New users of tranquilizers, which are normally used to treat anxiety or tension, increased 50% between 1999 and 2000In a study of students in Wisconsin and Minnesota, 34% of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) said they had been approached to sell or trade their Ritalin or Adderall, two drugs commonly used to treat symptoms of ADHD. The growing population of aging Baby Boomers are also prime candidates for prescription drug abuse, as are senior citizens. Once someone begins ingesting a number of pills for medical issues like managing blood pressure and cholesterol, it becomes easier to take narcotic painkillers, prescription sleep aids and other, more addictive drugs. It also increases the risk of negative and possibly fatal interactions between drugs, especially when they are not used as prescribed. The exact relationship between a dramatic increase in the proper use and an increase in abuse of prescription medications is unknown. As stated above, prescription drugs account for the second most abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. As a previous alcohol and drug abuse treatment provider, this writer suspects the use and abuse of these medications by Americans are far greater than estimated. As the internet continues to grow in number of users and accessibility to global markets, this writer suspect's prescription drug abuse and addiction will continue to rise. International online pharmacies knowingly marketing and selling prescription medications to Americans privy to our FDA regulations are iPredators engaged in cybercrime and illegal drug trade.

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Author Biography
Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a New York State licensed psychologist and certified forensic consultant. He completed his doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 1994 from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. In 1997, Dr. Nuccitelli became a licensed psychologist in New York State (License # 013009.) In 2006, he received the Certified Forensic Consultant designation from the American College of Forensic Examiners (Identification # 103110.) In September 2011, Dr. Nuccitelli established Modern Forensics Inc. offering the private & public sectors educational, consultation and investigation services regarding internet predators, cybercrime & digital criminal psychology. Over the last 25 years, Dr. Nuccitelli has worked in the mental health field in a variety of capacities with various clinical populations. Concurrent with his employment in mental health, Dr. Nuccitelli was a practicing psychologist for 10 years and worked in the field of forensic psychology conducting evaluations and consultation for attorneys and court systems. Dr. Nuccitelli has extensive career and academic experiences. His areas of expertise include forensic psychology, criminal psychology, theoretical criminology, digital/computer psychological forensics, human sexuality, psychiatric illness, psychological issues and developmental psychology. He is an avid follower of national & criminal news and enjoys educating the public by interacting with the media. Dr. Nuccitelli continues to investigate and expand his construct he has designed and trademarked called iPredator. He presently consults with the American College of Forensic Examiners to become the resource and hub for the public seeking information on digital/computer forensics, internet predators, cyber security and training programs for the professional sector and law enforcement. Michael Nuccitelli Psy.D., C.F.C. NYS Licensed Psychologist Email: drnucc@hotmail.com Blog: www.DarkPsychology.co Scribd: www.scribd.com/ipredator Facebook: The iPredator