Prescription drug crimes on the rise

On Behalf of | Apr 14, 2023 | Criminal Defense |

Crimes involving the illegal use of prescription drugs are rising across the United States. Some of these are for drugs approved by the FDA and available for medical use. Doctors often write prescription drugs for legitimate reasons, for a specific purpose, and they are sold at pharmacies.

It is against Alabama law to possess prescription medication without a valid prescription from a licensed doctor or physician, and doing so can lead to criminal charges. While prescription drugs are not street drugs, the state of Alabama punishes the unlawful possession of prescription drugs equally harshly.

The most common prescription drugs that usually get people in trouble include painkillers, such as:

  • Oxycontin
  • Percocet
  • Valium
  • Xanax
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Oxycodone
  • Adderall

In Alabama, it is illegal for a person to possess a controlled substance listed in the state’s Schedules I through V or to obtain a controlled substance by lying, committing fraud or misrepresentation.

It is against Alabama law to possess prescription medication without a valid prescription from a licensed doctor or physician, which can lead to criminal charges. It is also unlawful to commit prescription fraud by:

  • Forging a physician’s signature
  • Altering a prescription
  • Calling in prescriptions by impersonating a physician, among other types of prescription drug fraud.

Penalties

Potential penalties for prescription drug-related convictions vary based on the drug type and amount. However, penalties are harsh in every case, and if convicted, the person could face prison time and significant fines.

It is vital to understand that just because a prescription drug is legal, that does not mean a person will avoid prosecution if they commit an offense involving the unlawful use of that prescription drug.