Drug charges often relate to the possession or abuse of prohibited drugs. Substances ranging from methamphetamine and heroin to cocaine are outright illegal to possess and use. Most people understand that if they get caught while in possession or under the influence of controlled substances, then they are at risk of drug charges.
Fewer people understand that the state regularly prosecutes prescription drug charges. Even those with valid prescriptions and serious medical conditions could face criminal prosecution. If officers question whether they can legally possess their medication or how they obtained it, arrest and prosecution are possible. Certain types of medications tend to receive more scrutiny than others, in part because of their association with abuse and illicit trafficking.
Prescription sedatives
There are several types of medications that sedate or relax people. Benzodiazepines, a popular class of psychiatric medication, have a strong association with substance abuse. People also frequently abuse barbiturates, which are another sedative drug. Even muscle relaxants prescribed to people with soft tissue injuries can lead to enhanced law enforcement scrutiny because of their association with abuse.
Prescription stimulants
Medications that produce the exact opposite effect are also strongly associated with prescription drug abuse. Stimulant medications, such as drugs prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have strong demand on the unregulated drug market. People resell their prescriptions or access these stimulant drugs without a valid prescription. Particularly when the party using the medication is an adult, not a student, officers may be suspicious about the possession and use of stimulants.
Opioid and opiate pain relievers
Traditional opiate medications, like codeine and morphine, have been sources of drug abuse for decades. Newer opiate medications are similarly easy for people to abuse. Even worse, they often find their way into other drugs distributed on the unregulated market. Substances ranging from OxyContin to fentanyl create a risk of both addiction and overdose.
Those accused of unlawfully possessing or transferring commonly-abused drugs may need to be proactive about protecting themselves. Those facing drug charges related to prescription medication often need help avoiding a conviction. Reviewing medical records with a skilled legal team can be a first step toward a reasonable defense strategy when accused of illegal conduct with prescribed medication.
