Prescription medications are incredible, life-altering treatments for patients with various medical conditions. However, when used improperly, prescription drugs can lead to addiction, abuse and even arrest.
Understanding ways using legal drugs might still lead to criminal charges can help you avoid making these mistakes.
1. Driving under the influence
Many prescription medications, including sedatives, opioids, antihistamines and antidepressants, can impair your driving ability by slowing your reflexes or making you feel drowsy behind the wheel. You can face driving under the influence (DUI) charges and associated legal consequences for prescription drugs in your system.
2. Distributing your prescription drug
When a medical provider writes your prescription and you get it filled at the pharmacy, the medication legally belongs to only you. If you decide to share your prescription drugs with others can lead to legal consequences such as trafficking charges. If you no longer need your medicine, dispose of it safely through a local drug take-back program.
3. Prescription drug fraud
Fraudulently getting prescriptions can lead to significant criminal charges. Drug fraud includes acts such as forging prescriptions, using a false identity or altering a prescription.
4. Misusing your medication
Another common way prescription drugs can lead to a criminal record is through abuse and possession. Many highly addictive medications, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, can lead to misuse because of their euphoric effects. Taking your pills in other ways than your doctor intended, such as ingesting too much or combining it with other medicines, can affect your health and lead to a DUI.
It is essential to use prescription drugs responsibly and only under the guidance of a medical professional.