Recently we've had several clients present for psychotherapy treatment who are court stipulated to a drug program due to drug charges. Needless to say this is no real surprise. But what's surprising is the level of charges and the customers we are seeing. For example, among our clients could possibly be confused with just about any other hockey mom (perhaps a recent exception). She actually is white, upper middle class, college educated, and employed in a professional position. And although she has drug trafficking charges, which are a felony, the drugs she had in her possession were for private use and were prescription (of course she didn't have a prescription). What is even more surprising is that she didn't have even a month's supply of the pain killer for someone for whom they might have been prescribed. The objective of this article is to shed light on a number of the risks currently being taken by those abusing prescription drugs.
Prescription drug abuse is the number one reason behind drug related death in Florida. In accordance with a New York Times article dated June 14, 2008, the "Medical Examiners Commission discovered that the rate of deaths due to prescription drugs was 3 x the rate of deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined." (Cave, D.). Yet this is insufficient to dissuade new users from trying, and becoming physically dependent on, prescription pain medications. Even high profile deaths including Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith have little impact on those abusing the substance. That is largely a result of substance abusers believing they're invulnerable and the false belief they will have a sense of control over their ingestion of substances.
Many who use or abuse opiate based pain medications aren't even aware of its dependence potential. Most pain medications are made of opium or perhaps a synthetic opiate, which is the same main ingredient in heroin. Although tolerance (the need for more of the substance to obtain the desired effect) and withdrawal (physical and psychological symptoms caused by the lack of the substance) take longer to develop in prescription drugs, physical dependence can and often does develop. But the purpose of this short article would be to discuss drug law.
It is probably far better start with the cheapest of crimes, simple possession of a substance. In this state the initial offense is up to twelve months incarceration and a fine of up to $1000.00. Another offense is incarceration for no less than 15 days and no more than 2 years, and the very least fine of $2500.00. A third offense results in at least 90 days in jail no more than three years, and a minimum fine of $5000.00. The penalties for cocaine base are much harsher, and penalties can differ depending on the type of drug.
What is often misunderstood may be the difference between possession and trafficking. It would seem to the average reader that trafficking involves moving large quantities of a substance, or at the very least selling it to another individual. This is simply not the case. Trafficking charges are often based on weight. The weight for trafficking prescription drugs is 28 grams. Now when this is applied to cocaine, it seems fair enough. 28 grams of cocaine will be a lot, and it might be reasonable to say it person is selling the drug. But 28 grams of a pain medication such as for example Percocet is often as little as 6 or 7 pills. And much of the weight of Percocet pills come from Tylenol. But when a person is caught with prescription medication that is not theirs, the intent is irrelevant to charges.
Trafficking charges, even for an initial offense, can carry a penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Even when the sentence is lighter (probation, house arrest, treatment) the offender is labeled a felon for the others of these lives. This affects their rights, capability to get and maintain employment, also to live a productive life.
In a social psychology class this author teaches on the psychology of substance abuse, unfair drug laws tend to be discussed. This is often in the disproportionate penalties facing minorities. That is best illustrated by the sentencing of crack, versus regular cocaine. Simply put, crack penalties for just one gram equate to 100 grams of powder cocaine. Helpful site is also a the point that 50% of our prison population is for non-violent drug offenses. It seems some of the sentencing laws are unfair.
I am not attempting to excuse illicit and self destructive behavior. But to even consider sentencing someone addicted to pain medication or other prescription drugs to prison and otherwise seriously damaging their life seems harsh. If any reader is interested in being active in reducing these mandatory sentencing guidelines, they are able to contact FAMM, which works to improve a few of the unfair drug laws.
The purpose of this short article would be to educate readers who may have a member of family abusing prescription substances to some of the risks. These risks include possible physical dependence, overdose and death risk, and, what is often overlooked and is the main point of this article, incarceration and felony conviction for even relatively small amounts of a medication with out a prescription.