How do risks really compare?

The risks of prescription and street drugs can overlap significantly, especially when the substances affect the same brain systems. The main differences relate to consistency and context: prescription drugs are standardized and medically regulated, while street drugs may vary widely in potency and composition.

Street drugs often carry additional risks such as contamination, unknown strength, and unpredictable effects. However, prescription drugs can be equally dangerous when misused, particularly at high doses or when combined with other substances.

In both cases, the level of risk depends more on the pattern of use, dose, and individual susceptibility than on whether the drug originated from a prescription or the street.