Unfortunately, many people become dependent on prescription drugs. Maybe the drugs were prescribed to them for an injury, and they just never stopped taking the medication. Or perhaps a friend explained how the medication they were taking helped them, and the person wanted to try it.
No matter how it started, the person may now be addicted and illegally in possession of drugs.
Drug possession charges vary based on the type and amount of drug a person has—the penalties for drug possession range from a couple hundred dollars in fines to thousands of dollars. The time served could be a few days in jail or years in prison.
What prescription drugs are commonly misused?
These prescription drugs may be easy to get a hold of and difficult to identify. If you find an unfamiliar pill in your teenager’s belongings, you may want to confront the issue right away.
Some prescription medications that may be easy to get addicted to are:
- Barbiturates
- Sleep medication
- Codeine and morphine
- OxyContin, Percocet
- Opioids
- Amphetamines
If you or someone in your family is abusing prescription medication, you should reach out for help. Drug charges are a serious criminal offense, and the penalties vary on a case-by-case basis.
What might be the outcome of drug charges?
A person may be able to receive rehabilitation instead of punishment for drug possession. In California, drug possession is a misdemeanor offense in most cases.
Ensure you have legal counsel that will be a strong advocate for you. Having the right attorney can make a difference in defending drug charges.
