What Happens to Students Who are Arrested for Possession of Prescription Drugs?

When people hear the term drugs, they often think about two types of substances. The first involves controlled substances such as prescription medications. The second type involves illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. Even though many people think that prescription drugs are safer because they are designed by pharmaceutical companies and controlled by doctors, they are often treated the same way when it comes to the eyes of the law. There are numerous situations in which someone could be arrested and charged with a crime even if they are caught with drugs that have been prescribed by a trained health professional. Furthermore, charges related to prescription drug use can be just as serious as charges related to substances such as marijuana and cocaine.

Prescription Drug Use Is a Major Problem Among Teenagers

First, it is important to note that prescription drug use as a rising problem among teenagers. Similar to scenarios in which athletes take steroids to boost their athletic performance, there are also situations in which teenagers and college students are taking prescription drugs in an effort to boost their academic performance. In many cases, medications that are commonly used to treat conditions such as ADHD are being bought and sold on the street to help people focus while studying for a test. The reality is that someone who possesses prescription drugs without a valid prescription could be charged with a crime, particularly if it is a controlled substance such as Ritalin, Adderall, and prescription pain medications. For this reason, it is important for everyone to know what happened to a student who was caught with prescription drugs that have not been prescribed to him or her.

The Penalties for Possession of Controlled Substances in the State of Texas

The penalties for a student who is caught with prescription drugs that have not been prescribed to him or her could vary widely depending on the type of substance and how much the student has. There are four separate penalty groups related to prescription drugs in the state of Texas. The penalties will vary depending on which group the medication falls into. For example, students who are accused of possessing less than 1 gram of a controlled substance that is in the first penalty group, such as OxyContin, could still face state felony charges. This could include up to two years in jail and $10,000 in fines. On the other hand, there may be avenues to reduce the potential penalties that minors might face under the law.

Rely on the Help of a Trained Legal Professional

There are numerous defenses that someone might be able to provide if they have been charged with possession of prescription medications. These could include everything from producing a valid prescription toward arguing for rehabilitation due to drug addiction instead of jail time. In this situation, it is always a good idea to rely on the help of a trained legal professional who understands the ins and outs of possession laws as they relate to various drug groups in the state of Texas.