Drug Crimes Encompass More Than Just Illegal Drugs

 Posted on May 21, 2019 in Uncategorized

Everyone knows that there are certain drugs that are absolutely 100 percent illegal throughout the United States. Heroin, cocaine, LSD and ecstasy are all types of illegal drugs that have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Contrary to what some may think, you can also get in trouble if you illegally possess, distribute, or falsely obtain prescription drugs. The only time prescription drugs are legal is when the drugs were prescribed to you and you use them according to the label on the bottle and your doctor’s orders. Doing otherwise could result in serious charges against you.

Controlled Substances and Common Prescription Drugs

In addition to state laws, the federal government also has certain laws in place pertaining to legal and illegal drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has created a schedule of drug classifications based on their medical use and their potential for abuse. This schedule is nearly identical to the schedule found in the Illinois Controlled Substance Act and contains information about prescription drugs. Commonly abused prescription drugs include:

• Xanax;
• Adderall;
• Ritalin;
• Vicodin;
• Percocet;
• Valium;
• Demerol; and
• Morphine.

Types of Prescription Drug Crimes

For the most part, any illegal drug crime you can be convicted of, you can also be convicted of for prescription drugs. Here are some of the most common prescription drug crimes:

• Misrepresentation: It is illegal for you to go to a doctor and misrepresent yourself in order to obtain prescription drugs. The Illinois Prescription Drug Monitoring Program requires all controlled substances that are prescribed to patients to be put into the statewide system, along with the patient’s personal information and medical information. This helps reduce the number of people going from hospital to hospital in order to have multiple prescriptions of the same drug prescribed to them - which is also a crime.
• Possession: If you do not also possess a valid prescription for them. You can be charged with illegal possession if you do not have a prescription, or if the drugs were legally prescribed but not to you.
• Distribution: Another common prescription drug charge is distribution, or trafficking. The current opioid epidemic began when doctors were falsely informed of certain drugs’ potential for addiction and they were highly prescribed. Now that it is known that most opioids are highly addictive, they are not nearly prescribed as often, but thousands of people were left with addictions. Because of this, the market for illegal opioids has grown, though you can get into serious trouble if you are caught selling or distributing prescription drugs.

Have You Been Charged With a Prescription Drug Crime? A Joliet Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Can Help

Prescription drugs can be dangerous, even though they are used to treat certain medical conditions. If you have been charged with any type of prescription drug crime, it is crucial that you get in touch with a knowledgeable Will County drug crime defense attorney. At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C., we can help you form a solid defense against any type of drug charge, including prescription drug charges. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 815-740-4025.