Are You Committing a Drug Crime?

When you think of someone getting arrested for a drug crime, you may imagine someone hauling pounds of marijuana across state lines or selling heroin on a street corner. While these are the more common type of drug crimes, the simple actions you take regularly could actually be considered illegal.

Drug crimes do not only pertain to illegal, recreational drugs. Prescription drug crimes are on the rise. Even if you misuse medication you receive from a doctor, you could still face legal trouble. That’s because Americans are overdosing on these drugs at sky-high rates. Approximately 130 people die daily from opioid overdoses, causing authorities to crack down and states to take action.

You could be committing a drug crime and not even know it. This is a scary thing to think about, and feigning ignorance will not protect you from the harsh penalties you could face. Read on to educate yourself about prescription drug crimes and how to avoid getting in trouble with the law.

Are You Breaking the Law?

Do you share your drugs with friends and family members? If so, you could technically be breaking the law. While sharing over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol is fine, prescription drugs are strictly regulated. These drugs can only be used by the person to whom the drug is prescribed. Even sharing them with someone in your household can lead to legal trouble if authorities find out.

Are you a college student who has shared a stimulant such as Ritalin or Adderall with a friend or classmate so you could stay awake and study for a test? If so, this is considered illegal. Have you ever given your prescription painkiller to a spouse or friend to help cure a headache? This is against the law as well. Another situation in which sharing drugs is illegal includes travel partners sharing anti-anxiety medications on a flight.

In these situations, all parties involved could face legal trouble—not just the person who shared the drugs. A person accused of prescription drug crimes can face various penalties, including fines, probation and counseling. In serious cases, a person could face jail time. This is especially true for cases involving Schedule I, II and III drugs such as heroin, cocaine, OxyContin, codeine, Vicodin and suboxone.

A prescription drug conviction may stay on your criminal record for many years. You could lose out on employment opportunities. You may be denied housing because a landlord may worry about illegal drugs on their premises.

Contact a Maryland Prescription Drug Crine Lawyer Today

A conviction of a prescription drug crime may not seem serious on the surface, but the effects can be lifelong. It could affect your life in many ways. A solid defense can help reduce your penalties.

If you are facing prescription drug charges, seek legal help from The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. Our Columbia prescription drug crime lawyers offer aggressive representation to reduce or eliminate your charges. We have two locations in Maryland to serve you. To schedule a free consultation, call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form.

Resource:

cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html

https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/3-defenses-to-a-prescription-drug-charge/