The ongoing opioid crisis has proven that no one has immunity from developing a potential prescription drug addiction.
Like with other substance abuse, it may eventually lead to making poor decisions that come with legal troubles. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse statics, 1.16 million Americans get arrested for drug-related offenses, many of which involve prescription drugs.
1. What makes possessing a prescription drug illegal?
The state of Massachusetts and the federal government consider any prescription drug illegal if a person has not personally received the prescription from a physician. If you get caught with a drug bottle that belongs to another person or lose prescription pills, it may lead to an arrest. Drugs like hydrocodone and oxycontin have a Schedule II drug classification, which may come with felony charges.
2. Can I share prescription drugs with family and friends?
While it may seem innocent enough to give a friend or family member your prescription to help deal with pain, the stage still considers it illegal. In some instances, the police may even have enough evidence to charge you with drug trafficking or distribution.
3. What penalties come with a prescription drug conviction?
A number of factors play into the potential consequences of a drug conviction, especially the type of drug and amount. A misdemeanor may result in a $500 fine and a six-month jail term while a felony charge comes with up to a $5,000 fine and a possible five-year sentence.
Although dealing with a drug charge may seem like an impossible situation, not every case ends the same. In some instances, you may have the option to attend drug court, which aims to help people get the drug treatment they need.
