Prescription drug abuse can lead to criminal charges

Prescription drug violations are often the result of someone who has a drug addiction trying to keep up with his or her habit. Prescription drug misuse is a huge problem in this country. In fact, around 20 percent of the population of the United States has used prescription medications for nonmedical use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 48 million people who are 12 years old and older use prescription drugs in that manner.

The most commonly abused prescription drugs include opioids, central nervous system depressants and stimulants. The abuse of these medications is on the rise, even in the teen population.

The increase in prescription drug abuse is being blamed on a few different reasons. One reason is that prescription drugs are so widely available. Another is that online pharmacies, some of which don’t require a prescription, make it easier to get a hold of these drugs. Finally, the easy access to prescriptions in homes makes the instances of teen prescription drug abuse more prevalent.

People who are addicted to prescription medications might go to great lengths to get them. They might “doctor shop” so they can get multiple prescriptions. Some people might purchase prescription medications from other patients. Other people might turn to theft and other similar actions to get money to purchase drugs to feed their addiction.

For people who are facing criminal charges for prescription drug violations, fighting those charges is vital. In some cases, getting help for the drug addiction might also be necessary. Seeking out the options for your defense can help you to decide what you want to do next.

Source: WebMD, “Prescription Drug Abuse,” accessed Dec. 02, 2015