It is no secret that important and valuable prescription drugs often become the source of misuse and addiction. Opioids and other painkillers, sedatives, anxiety medication and sleep aids can quickly lock people into a cycle of abuse and addiction, which often leads them to seek these medicines illegally and without a prescription.
Another commonly abused drug is Adderall. Your North Carolina doctor may have prescribed Adderall for your symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Adderall is an amphetamine, a stimulant, that for many users improves their ability to focus, study or work more effectively for longer periods of time. It is no wonder that Adderall is widely abused on college campuses. However, the consequences of possessing Adderall without a valid prescription can be serious.
Adderall and a variety of offenses
Law enforcement considers Adderall a controlled substance. In fact, it is a Schedule II substance, falling into the same category as morphine and methamphetamine. These drugs are highly addictive and carry a high potential for abuse. Because of this, the potential penalties for convictions related to Adderall can be quite significant, including thousands in fines and up to 20 years in prison. Some common violations include the following:
- Possessing Adderall without a prescription, even in small quantities
- Possessing more Adderall than your prescription designates
- Sharing your prescription with others, such as some college students do with their friends
- Selling your pills to others
- Committing fraud to obtain larger quantities of Adderall
- Trafficking
- Carrying your legally prescribed medication without the original prescription bottle
Like many, you may not feel safe carrying your entire prescription bottle with you to work or school, so you remove some pills and carry them in a smaller container. This is a criminal offense, albeit a minor one. However, if you are carrying someone else’s prescription of Adderall, you may face more serious consequences. Additionally, possessing Adderall in large quantities or outside a legal prescription container while near a school or on a college campus may lead to charges of distribution and enhanced sentences for a conviction.
A conviction for drug crimes, even a first offense, can have a devastating effect on your education and your future. Many colleges have specific protocol for dealing with students convicted of drug crimes, and you may even lose your financial aid. It is important to seek strong and effective legal counsel if you are facing any criminal charges related to drug possession or other crimes.