In an age where you can get almost anything over the Internet, it's no surprise that online pharmacies are popping up all over the World Wide Web.

How easy is it to get drugs such as muscle relaxants or pain pills without a prescription, and are they safe?

In a NEWS9 Special Assignment, Jasmine Lo logged on to find out how easy it is for anyone - even children - to place an online order.

Prescription pills seem to be joining the ranks in popularity with marijuana and alcohol, according to local state police.

"I would guesstimate that probably 80 percent of the drug busts we make, either as a result of information we get for a search warrant or a traffic stop, 80 percent probably deals with prescription pills," said Sgt. Tom Wood of the West Virginia State Police.

In many cases buyers don't have to have a doctor’s order to place a drug order.

I typed a few key words into Google and got countless Web sites selling hundreds of medications.

Armed with my credit card and a few fake symptoms I placed an order for Soma, a muscle relaxant intended for back spasms.

During the ordering process, the site did ask for some health information, symptoms, and personal information like age, but one local pharmacist isn't so sure any of that is put to use.

“Does a physician on the other end really look at that?" said Bob Simons, a pharmacist at East Ohio Regional Hospital.

After a few clicks, my order was confirmed. I tracked it online and two days later a plain white package showed up in the mail. Inside was Soma, exactly the muscle relaxant I ordered without a prescription.

So you might wonder how these Web sites operate without regulation. Since Internet sales are considered interstate commerce, state government doesn't have the power to regulate the sale of prescription drugs online.

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said he is concerned about the ease of buying medications over the Web.

"It's been a subject of discussion in the Commerce Committee, which can regulate, or doesn't regulate as it turns out, the Internet and I have problems with that incidentally," Rockefeller said.

So as government officials look into what they can and can't do, some pharmacists warn there are serious risks that come with taking medications purchased over the Internet.

Simons warned of misdosage and dangerous medication combinations. He also said you may not really know if what you're getting in the package is the correct drug.

Though some might be using the drugs for actual medical reasons, others can be abusing.

"Know what your child is doing all the time. Don't rely on the computer to do your babysitting for you," said Wood.