Prescription drugs can be miraculous for those who are suffering from an injury, a painful recovery from surgery or a chronic condition. By blocking the pain messages to the brain, the medication may help them to rest and remain calm, allowing their bodies to heal more quickly. Unfortunately, some powerful pain killers come with negative side effects that can make life uncomfortable or worse.
One of the most devastating side effects of pain killers like oxycodone is that they can quickly become addictive. If you are currently struggling with an addiction, you understand that dependence on an opioid can result in the slow erosion of life as you know it. Addiction takes over every aspect of your life, and it often leads to criminal charges.
Am I breaking the law?
Having a prescription for oxycodone or another narcotic is not a crime unless you violate the laws related to your drug. For example, if you have a motor vehicle accident and your blood test shows oxycodone in your system, you may face charges of impairment. Crimes related to the possession of the drug can include any of the following or other situations:
- Having narcotics in your possession and in a prescription bottle legally in your name but containing more oxycodone than the prescription indicates
- Carrying prescription narcotics in a bottle with an expired prescription label
- Carrying oxycodone or other drugs in a bottle prescribed to someone else
- Having prescriptions for narcotics from more than one doctor
If Florida authorities find you with oxycodone or another controlled substance in your possession but you do not have proof of your prescription, you may face criminal charges. For example, someone may offer you pills from their own prescription, or you may prefer not to carry your entire prescription, so you take a few pills from the bottle and put them in your pocket or a pill sorter.
What are your next steps?
Police and other authorities are taking the recent spike in opioid deaths very seriously. The penalties for crimes involving narcotics are quite severe at both the state and federal level. Additionally, having a record for drug crimes can create a critical impediment to your future goals, such as obtaining federal educational aid or finding work in certain professions.
If you are facing charges of drug possession involving oxycodone or other addictive pain medications, you would be wise to seek the quality legal counsel of an attorney with experience defending against such charges. Because you have much on the line, reaching out for help as soon as possible may be in your best interests.
