No one can acquire a professional license without hard work and dedication. However, just a few poor or misinformed choices could cause you to lose it faster than it took you to earn it. Drug diversion is one of them.

Are you a medical professional accused of drug diversion and need help retaining your license? The Lento Law Firm Professional License Team is ready to advocate for you. Call the Lento Law Firm offices at 888.535.3686 or fill out this contact form to get started.

What Counts as Drug Diversion?

Broadly described as any unauthorized use or distribution of controlled substances and prescription medicines, drug diversion is complex enough that there are many ways to become guilty of it. The following actions are all categorized as drug diversion:

• Drug theft
• Prescription pad theft
• Prescription forgery
• Illicit prescription, or prescribing drugs for purposes other than what they're intended to do
• Selling prescription drugs in person or through illegal online pharmacies

Medicinal opioids, steroids, hallucinogens, stimulants, and depressants are all commonly used in drug diversion.

Disciplinary Measures Against Drug Diversion

Even if the medical board decides not to revoke your license, they may implement other disciplinary measures or conditions for continued employment. In fact, agreeing to one or more of them could be an important factor in being allowed to keep your license. We will help you consider the options and fight for the best possible outcome, which may include any of the following.

• Alternative to Discipline Program: Some nurses and other medical professionals engage in drug diversion because they're addicted to drugs themselves. The Alternative to Discipline program helps them treat their addictions privately and without punitive consequences. You'll find these programs throughout the United States.
• Losing Your DEA Controlled Substance Registration: This registration is crucial to many medical positions because it allows you to administer and prescribe drugs. You may be able to continue working in your field without it, but your scope of practice could become limited. The DEA will allow reinstatement with an application, documents, and statements regarding the drug diversion and why it will no longer be a problem for you.
• Fines: You could be hit with a hefty fine for drug diversion, as it violates the Controlled Substances Act. It might take several years to pay off, but if it's not accompanied by license revocation, you will at least be able to keep a job with which to make the payments.

How Can You Defend Against Losing Your License?

Depending on your motivations and methods and the way you were caught, there are several ways to create a strong defense for yourself. For example, if you were simply desperate to make fast money for an emergency, one could argue that you didn't have criminal intent, so you don't deserve to lose your license. Alternatively, maybe it was an inventory error.

With their experience in many kinds of professional license defense, the Lento Law Firm will know what strategy will work best to protect your license, reputation, and livelihood.

Hire a Powerful Defense to Protect Your License

You don't have to lose your license over drug diversion. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team will fight for you so that you can continue enjoying a rewarding career. To get started, call the Lento Law Firm offices at 888.535.3686 or fill out a contact form and schedule a consultation.