Answer:
1. Medicines are abused and misused in such a way that some people use them as illegal drugs. Unprescribed medicine intake in very dangerous amounts or incorrect dosage can lead to overdose and death, as well as worsen mental and physical health issues. Drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin, Demerol, cannabis (marijuana), and other opioids have medicinal properties which could be addictive and could lead to abuse.
2. No, it is always safer to get a prescription from a health professional when it comes to medicine. If self-diagnosis is not as good as a diagnosis from a doctor, self-medication is not as good as a prescription from a doctor too. Self-medication is also a result of self-diagnosis, which may be incorrect, so drug intake might be incorrect too (dosage). There are way too many risks of self-medication for it to be safe.