Every year, thousands of Texans die from opioid drug overdoses. In 2018, the exact number was 67,367. This number has social and economic impacts on individuals and families, but it also has implications for the surrounding professional medical community. In recent years, for example, many overdose deaths have led to lawsuits against prescribers. For some doctors, the results have been devasting, with court rulings leading not only to high fines and damaged reputations, but

Borrowing a pill from a family member or friend, or purchasing them from an unauthorized source, taking another person’s prescription medications may lead have serious implications. In fact, depending on the type of medication, you may face criminal charges if found in possession of a drug not prescribed to you by a licensed physician. Understanding the laws as they apply to share prescriptions may help you avoid unnecessary criminal consequences. Prescription drug charges A

If you face a drug-related criminal charge, a conviction can affect your career, future and reputation. Drug crimes include possession, trafficking, distribution, prescription fraud and distribution. While police officers and DEA agents can investigate a case and may use different undercover strategies to expose a crime, he or she cannot induce a crime. What is the inducement of a crime? Inducement determines whether an officer committed entrapment or not. For example, an of

The Texas Controlled Substances Act classifies an offense as a felony if law enforcement arrests an individual in a drug-free zone. According to the Lone Star State’s Health and Safety Code, a drug-free zone includes schools, playgrounds and video game or youth recreational facilities. An offense allegedly carried out within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or youth center may result in a felony charge. Drug-free zones also consist of colleges, universities and medical or

When facing a drug charge, the idea of conviction may still seem like a distant concern. If this is a first-time offense, you may even feel like you will get off without much issue. But this is rarely if ever the case. Instead, drug convictions have the potential to do serious damage to your future. In what ways do they impact you, both for the short and long term? Short and long term repercussions According to Westminster College, you can face several long-lasting impacts f

After you have paid the dues for your drug crimes in Texas, one of the first things you will need is a job. Getting your life back on track may feel easier and more productive when you have a steady income. Because many employers include specific questions about criminal records on their applications, answering those sections might seem intimidating for you. Understanding how to address your past with professionalism can aid in your effort to get a job. Answering questions A

According to the United States Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) formed in 1973 after several government agencies merged into one. Since that time, the DEA has been responsible for enforcing this nation's drug laws regarding the manufacture, production, and/or distribution of controlled substances. This guide explains a few of the many actions the DEA can take when pursuing people alleged to have committed drug offenses. Seizure and forfeiture of assets

Texas police pulled you over recently for driving erratically. They suspected you of intoxication, or that you were on an illicit substance. Is your new prescription to blame for this unfortunate situation? Some medications do not lend themselves well to driving. Learn how to build a case to fight your drug offense with proper knowledge. Medication side effects that make it unsafe to drive Both prescription and over-the-counter medication may have side effects that make it u

People make mistakes every single day. Unfortunately, some of those mistakes can result in a drug charge on your permanent record. The question is, how long should it stay there? There are many instances of people making questionable decisions during their youth and suffering the consequences for a lifetime. Many employers perform background checks before hiring an employee and if you have a drug charge on your record, it may sway their decision to hire you. This article det

There is a lot of talk around the country about decriminalizing drugs. The focus is often on marijuana, but in some places it includes other substances as well. When you hear about this movement, it is not uncommon to feel confused about what it means. The decriminalization of drugs does not mean making all drugs legal. It focuses on lowering penalties and focusing on helping those with drug addictions instead of punishing them. Free up jail and prison space One of the mai

Facing a drug charge in Texas? You are not alone. A significant percentage of those currently incarcerated in Texas are where they are because of drug convictions, but this may not necessarily have to be your fate. At the Law Office of E.G. Morris, we understand that many people with drug convictions find that, by enrolling in drug court, they are able to avoid time behind bars. We have helped many people in your shoes pursue solutions that reflect their needs. According to

Most of what you post on social media is public domain. For the most part, throughout the country and in Texas, people post on social media without a lot of thought behind it. Often, social media is a collection of snapshots of a person’s life. You post what you want others to see. Unfortunately, this does not always mean that people post smartly. Some want attention, some think little about the content and click share too quickly. If you are in trouble for a drug offense, yo

Texas imposes serious consequences for the use, possession and distribution of controlled substances, including many prescription drugs. In addition to legal penalties, health care providers may also suffer loss of licensure and professional reputation. Read on to understand the different types of prescription drug crimes and the state penalties for these convictions. Categories of illegal prescription drugs Texas divides controlled substances into four categories called p

Being charged with a drug crime can be hard for anyone, whether they are a minor currently living with their parents or an older adult. For some people, such as parents, drug charges can bring up many other concerns. For example, those who are going through a dispute over child custody may be adversely affected from a family law standpoint. Moreover, drug charges can interfere with a parent’s ability to raise their children even if they are not dealing with divorce issues. F

Many times, when you get a prescription from a doctor in Texas, you do not end up using all of the medication. You may wonder if you can share it with someone else who needs it. This is a common tactic that many people use to share antibiotics and other medications with friends and family who maybe cannot afford their own prescription, but it is a dangerous practice, and according to Pharmacy Times, an illegal one, too. Often, sharing medications leads to abuse. It is common

In recent years, many states have changed drug laws to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. However, it is important to know that Texas still severely limits the legal uses of medical marijuana. Under state law, you may only consume certain types of marijuana as part of a treatment plan for a specific medical condition. According to FindLaw, the Texas Compassionate Use Act may allow you to use medical marijuana to treat intractable epilepsy. According to the law, you mus

It is not only big cities that face challenges in regard to drug offenses and other crimes. Texarkana, Texas, located on the border with Arkansas, is a relatively small community of 37,389 people. Nevertheless, its total crime rate is 128 percent higher than the national average and 108 percent higher than in the rest of Texas. Numerous reports to law enforcement regarding alleged drug activity at a residence in Texarkana led to a search warrant for the address on Bowie Stre

Because drug laws and regulations are controlled by state law, some states have very different laws in how they view and see drug use and possession for personal use. More states tend to be moving away from decriminalizing marijuana, although it hasn't happened in Texas yet. However, a bill to decriminalize personal use amounts of marijuana is getting a hearing, known as House Bill 63. While the bill doesn't suggest zero penalties for those found to have possession of marijua

A new bill to come across the President's desk looks to make a change to sentencing and rehabilitation of convicted drug offenders. The Senate passed it recently with a sweeping vote of 87-12, which is the result of years of negotiation. Essentially, the bill aims to make reforms to the criminal justice process for convicted drug offenders. Since it's a federally mandated change, it will affect those processed through federal courts, not Texas state courts. This would mean t

Drug trafficking charges are serious criminal charges and carry potentially significant and stiff penalties and consequences. It is important for any accused individual facing them to understand what drug charges include, the penalties they are facing and their defense options. Drug trafficking and distribution laws penalize the sale, transportation and illegal import of unlawful controlled substances. Unlawful controlled substances can include cocaine, heroin, marijuana, met