Prescription Drug Possession

In New Hampshire, prescription drug possession is either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending upon the amount and the type of illegal drug within your possession. A first time offense, drug possession charge, is classified as a Class ‘B’ felony. This type of crime can be punishable with a $25,000 fine and up to 7 years in prison. If you or a loved one is charged with drug possession, you will need access to an experienced lawyer from an esteemed law office, such as Anzalone Law Firm.

The first thing that comes to mind when most people think about a drug possession charge are street drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines and barbiturates. Most people do not associate prescription drugs with street drugs because they are legal. Moreover, prescription drugs are for therapeutic remedies, such as to relieve pain or weight loss.

Prescription drugs are legal only with a prescription from a licensed doctor. When you are caught in possession of a prescription drug that is not yours, you could be arrested, even if it was not your intention to commit a drug crime.

One of the main reasons why prescription drugs are illegal, without a prescription, is because they are controlled substances. The government regulates controlled substances. Certain drugs are regulated because of the nature of the drug. A prescription drug could potentially have a harmful effect on a non-prescribed person's health.

For example, there are certain weight loss drugs, like Phentermine that could cause addiction. Because of this, as well as many other serious side effects, the drug is only legal through a prescription, in the United States. When a person takes a non-prescribed drug, it could also have a harmful effect on the safety and well-being of others.

Scenario, let’s say that a person decides to give a close friend a few of her prescription diet pills. The friend consumes the pills and gets behind a wheel of a vehicle. Now the person is a major threat to his/her passengers, other drivers and pedestrians on the road.

The friend runs the risk of being pulled over for a random search or worse - the friend could cause a serious automobile accident. If caught, he/she could be charged simply because he/she is in possession of a prescription drug that was not prescribed legally.

Prescription weight loss drugs are not the only controlled substances, obviously. Other types of legal controlled substances include amphetamines (Dexedrine, Adderall), methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, and OxyContin.

In the State of New Hampshire, a person is charged with prescription drug possession in multiple ways:

• Possession of illegal substances
• Filling a prescription multiple times
• Creating fraudulent prescriptions, etc.

If you are charged with prescription drug possession in Nashua, NH or the surrounding area, do not take it lightly.  Drug possession is a serious criminal offense. You will need a good drug crime attorney, to help fight for your rights. For a consultation, contact us or give us a call at: 603.548.3797.