Americans are well-aware that it is illegal to manufacture, possess, cultivate, sell, or distribute illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, and methamphetamines. However, like their illicit counterparts, prescription drug medications are controlled substances which are also heavily regulated, and it is very easy for a person to commit a prescription drug crime, and face serious criminal penalties.
Prescription drug abuse has skyrocketed in the United States because prescription drugs are readily available to everyone, regardless of their financial status. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 52 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs for a non-medical purpose in, and 6.1 million people have used them non-medically in the last month alone.
The NIDA reports that while the United States makes up 5% of the world's population, the U.S. consumes 75% of the world's prescription drugs.
The top 3 most abused drugs:
- Painkillers
- Tranquilizers
- Stimulants
If you thought that most people obtained prescriptions from their physician, think again. According to the NIDA, 54.2% of prescriptions are obtained for free from a friend or relative, while 18.1% of the prescriptions came from a doctor.
Why Teenagers Abuse Prescription Drugs
A whopping 62% of teens say that prescriptions are easy to get from their parents' medicine cabinets, and 52% say that they are available everywhere. Another 49% say they claim to have a prescription if they're caught, and 43% use them because they are cheap. (NIDA)
While each state has enacted different laws outlawing prescription drug crimes, Florida for example criminalizes the unlawful possession of a prescription drug under Section 775.084 (6)(a). Under this statute, possessing a controlled substance without a prescription is a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, and a maximum $5,000 fine.
If you are facing drug charges, a skilled criminal lawyer can provide a hard-hitting defense!
