Diversion - Definition and Overview

In the terminology of the DEA, diversion is the use of prescription drugs for recreational purposes. The term comes from the "diverting" of the drugs from their original purposes.

Drugs that are diverited, in an aproximate order of popularity

• Opiods (opium analogues) such as hydrocodone and Oxycontin. These have similar effects to opium and heroin.
• Pseudophedrine containing drugs sold over the counter are used as an ingredient to make methamphetamine
• DXM, the active ingredient of Robitusson, is abused for its effects which are similar to Ketamine and PCP
• Depressants such as Valium
• Anti-depressants, which are often essentially stimulants, and are often snorted by abusers.

The DEA is doing some work to try and stop drug diversion. For example, sales of Pseudophedrine are limited in certain stores.

Some critics feel that the importance of drug diversion is glossed over in the media and popular discussion. For example, in the recent case of Rush Limbaugh being acused of abusing pain-killers, it was felt by some that the similarity between the pain killers and heroin was not made clear. The higher dose pills of prescription pain killers are often stronger then the street rock heroin sold in most cities, and are preferred or at least used indiscriminately by opiate drug abusers.

Some critics contend however that drug diversion has been purposely allowed to happen, primarily by opiod manufacturers who profit off of the addiction of their customers. They also point to new products such as "dex-alone" which is a pill marketed specifically that it contains pure DXM without other compounds which would have an adverse effect at the levels of abuse.