NORWICH – 34-year-old Stephanie L. Manwarren was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff's Office Tuesday at approximately 10:30 a.m. for allegedly selling the controlled substance Suboxone – a narcotic drug primarily prescribed to treat opiate addiction – out of her Natoli Avenue residence in the City of Norwich.

According to the Suboxone website, the prescription drug can be “abused in a manner similar to other opioids, legal or illicit,” which can lead to addiction, overdose and death. The official website also warned that although those who take the drug as prescribed can become physically dependent on it, dependence is not the same as addiction; those who misuse Suboxone are at a higher risk for addiction.

“Although it may seem less serious, people selling prescription narcotics are still contributing to the opiate epidemic,” said Lieutenant Richard Cobb. “The Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue those who sell any controlled substances.”

Manwarren was arraigned in Norwich City Court by Judge James E. Downey for the class B felony of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and the class E felony of criminal nuisance in the first degree.