The opioid crisis is one that is complex. Many people are addicted to opioids, yes, but at the same time, they often started off as patients dealing with painful medical conditions. Medical providers and pharmaceutical companies told them that the drugs they were taking were safe and not addictive, but the opposite was true.
Then, states and the federal government started cracking down on opioid use. This led to many people being unable to fill their legal prescriptions. Some, still addicted and dependent on the medications, turned to illegal drug use as a result.
Did you know that the state filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharmaceuticals in 2018 for violating the deceptive trade practices laws and for misrepresenting the dangers of these medications? Despite that, the truth is that you could still face penalties if you’re caught abusing opioids, even though the addiction itself may not have been intentional.
What should you do if you’ve become addicted to opioid medications?
If you know that you’re struggling with substance abuse, it’s important for you to seek out medical care, such as inpatient or outpatient detoxification and rehabilitation. If you are caught by the authorities with illicit drugs or an illegal prescription, then you may be in a position where you need to defend yourself. In that case, you may want to reach out to your attorney to look into further options to reduce the penalties you could face upon conviction for drug crimes.