When you think about prescription drug crimes, you might think about someone getting pulled over for a DUI because of impairment or someone who is buying drugs and using them illegally. The reality is that even normally law-abiding people can be accused of drug crimes.
Prescription drug crimes can happen in various ways. For example, doctor shopping, or going to multiple doctors in hopes of getting the same prescriptions filled, can lead to drug charges. Similarly, getting caught with someone else’s drugs or with a greater number of pills than were prescribed to you can lead to trouble.
Some common prescription drug crimes include:
- Prescription drug fraud, including forging a prescription, changing the number of pills ordered on a prescription or using a doctor’s prescription pad
- Drug trafficking
- Sharing prescriptions
- Using prescription drugs that are not prescribed to you
Did you know that you could face between two and 30 years in prison if you’re found to be in possession of some Schedule I or II drugs? You could end up with a sentence of up to five years in prison for possessing Schedule III, IV or V drugs. You could end up locked up for something as minor as seeking additional opioid pain medications for chronic pain. As a patient with serious chronic pain or illnesses, this should be concerning to you.
What can you do if you’ve been accused of prescription drug charges?
If you are accused of prescription drug crimes, you can stand up for yourself and fight back. Our website has more on what you can do if you’ve been accused of a serious drug crime. You must take steps to protect your rights.
