When many people hear the term “drug crime,” they often think of a shady individual selling heroin in an alleyway or a larger-scale drug cartel operation such as those seen in crime dramas. While these are indeed examples of drug crimes, many are shocked to hear that a growing number of drug crimes and abuse cases in the United States actually involve prescription drugs. According to the United States Department of Justice, more than six million Americans abuse prescription drugs, with more accidental deaths now caused by prescription drug overdoses than car accidents. Prescription drugs are now the second most-abused category of drugs after marijuana.
The same study revealed that more than 70% of people abusing prescription pain relievers receive them from friends or relatives, including raiding the family medicine cabinet. Commonly abused prescription drugs include:
- Vicodin
- Valium
- Percocet
- Xanax
- OxyContin
- Adderall
- Codeine
- Ritalin
- Methadone
Types of Prescription Drug Charges
Nevada has strict laws which prohibit the unlawful possession, sale, and trafficking of prescription drugs, with many of these offenses being prosecuted just as tenaciously as those involving narcotics. Prescription drugs are highly regulated and require a current and valid prescription to be legally possessed or used, and may only be sold by licensed pharmaceutical distributors. Likewise, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of any prescription medication.
Due to these strict regulations, many have been forced to resort to more creative means of obtaining prescription drugs, with prescription fraud being one of the most popular. Prescription fraud is often a felony offense and can take a variety of forms, including visiting several doctors to receive multiple prescriptions, known as “doctor shopping,” forging doctors’ signatures on stolen Rx pads, altering specified quantities on legitimate prescriptions, or even printing fake prescriptions while posing as a doctor.
Fight Your Prescription Drug Charges
Regardless of the specifics, any drug crime is a serious matter and can expose a defendant to harsh penalties upon conviction, including prison time, expensive fines, and a permanent criminal record. If you have been charged with any prescription drug-related offense, contact the aggressive advocates at the Law Office of David R. Fischer at once. Having defended countless individuals accused of drug crimes and earned a recognition by Super Lawyers® for our unmatched dedication and skills, our Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer can provide the powerful representation you need to guard your future and freedom.
Call or contact us online today to discover your defense options.