Most medications pose some degree of risk. People could take the wrong dose or might take a medication along with another substance that causes an interaction. There is also the possibility of addiction and abuse to consider.
To protect the public from the various hazards associated with prescription medication, the law requires that doctors prescribe controlled substances. People tend to assume that once they have a prescription, their possession and use of a medication are legal.
However, there are still restrictions on what they do with the drugs they receive. Some people facing criminal charges in Texas broke the law as a result of interacting with prescription drugs in ways that they thought were fully legal.
Carrying a drug inappropriately
Many people have seven-day medication organizers that allow them to track their use of their medication. Others may have decorative containers that they use for their medication that fit better with their personal aesthetic. In both scenarios, people stopped by the police could be at risk of arrest. Carrying medication in containers other than the prescription packaging provided by a licensed health care professional could lead to allegations of unlawful possession and criminal prosecution.
Driving after taking medication
Some people don’t read the pamphlets that accompany their medication. They may not realize that it is not safe to drive after taking a certain drug. Others may have used the same medication for years and now feel confident that they do not experience noteworthy levels of impairment after using the medication. In both cases, those patients with legal prescriptions could be at risk of prosecution for a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense. Any medication that affects someone’s motor control or cognition could reduce their safety at the wheel. There is no chemical limit drivers have to exceed. Even the recommended dose can be enough to lead to DWI charges.
Sharing with others
Maybe a parent shares leftover medication with their adult child who just started a new job and doesn’t have health insurance. Perhaps a patient learns that a coworker can’t afford to fill their prescription, and they have some of the same medication at home that they never use. Well-intentioned people may give away or even sell their leftover medication to others. If they get caught in the act or the other party gets caught possessing their medication, they could be at risk of criminal prosecution.
Learning more about state drug laws can help people avoid drug charges. Those accused of breaking the law with prescription medication may need help developing a defense strategy that could prevent the worst penalties possible. Seeking legal guidance is often the best way to get started.