Drugs are dangerous and often play a role in criminal activity. Anyone who faces charges due to an offense involving drugs needs to understand the charges and know how to build an effective defense.
There are a range of different drug crimes, including possession, trafficking and manufacturing, and each differs in severity and potential sentencing. Any illegal activity involving drugs can result in felony or misdemeanor criminal charges. The following are three types of drugs that are commonly involved in such crimes.
1. Marijuana
According to the Orlando Sentinel, law enforcement in Florida now has the option to issue citations rather than make arrests when an officer finds a someone in possession of marijuana. There are many reasons for this shift, but one of them is the sheer frequency of arrests and crimes involving the drug. In order to reserve resources and prevent these cases from burdening courts, citations have become increasingly common.
2. Heroin
Heroin is a common culprit in criminal activities, and it is responsible for many deaths every year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that almost 80 percent of heroin users in the United States have misused prescription opioids first. As the opioid epidemic worsens, more and more individuals are finding themselves at the mercy of the drug and experiencing the legal consequences that often follow buying and selling heroin.
3. Prescriptions
People often do not see prescription drugs as a threat because they are available by legal means, and medical professionals prescribe them. Many prescribed narcotics, though, are involved in drug crimes every day. In fact, it is illegal for anyone to take a prescription that belongs to someone else, or to give or sell a prescribed medication to someone else. It is important to remember that one can face charges of possession or intent to distribute in connection with prescription medications as well as illegal drugs such as marijuana and heroin.