19 Dec Baltimore health official addresses opioid addiction problem

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Drug Charges on Saturday, December 19, 2015.

There was a time when the phrase “drug addiction” was primarily ascribed to users of street drugs, such as heroin. An addict was often awarded little understanding as his or her drug habit was seen as a personal flaw or even a personal choice. But as time passed, more and more people began to realize that drug addiction knows no social boundaries and that addicts are often simply prisoners of a dependency that is extremely difficult to escape.

At present, many cities in the United States are contending with issues caused by opioid addiction. Reportedly, every year opioid overdoses take the lives of over 25,000 U.S. citizens. And while this number is shockingly high, so too is the rate at which opioids are prescribed. In 2014, doctors wrote 259 million opioid prescriptions. This number would suggest that many people have access to the drugs.

Recently, the Baltimore Health Commissioner testified before a Senate panel. The topic of her testimony was how cities may be able to effectively deal with the problem of opioid addiction. The commissioner urged members of the panel to consider a number of steps, including pushing for a campaign to heighten public awareness of the problem. The commissioner recommended that the campaign define opioid addiction as a health problem.

Unfortunately, current drug laws tend to view the illegal possession of opioids or other such prescription drugs as a criminal act, rather than a health problem. This means if you are ever arrested on charges related to the possession of opioids, you could be facing fines or even incarceration.

Given the potential setbacks that a conviction for drug crimes could impose on your life, it may be a wise decision to consult with a criminal defense attorney in a timely manner following your arrest. The sooner you secure the services of an attorney, the sooner the attorney could get to work preparing a defense that may help you achieve an acceptable outcome.

Source: The Baltimore Sun, “Baltimore health commissioner talks to Congress about opioid addiction,”