Lawstudent102
New Member
Is it illegal to have my mother pain pills in my possesion if she is not with me?
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Drug Crimes, Substance Abuse prescription drugs
- Thread Starter Lawstudent102
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That would be a possibly.:yes: Why would you have them? Are you picking them up from the pharmacy and taking them to her, or do you have them in your pocket?
Lawstudent102
New Member
Yes was picking them up and got pulled over, i did not get a ticket but the officer said I was in the wrong and told me i couldnt do that again.
jharris352
New Member
You very well could be arrested for having the pills. Generally pharmacies will not let you pick up narcotics for someone else. They require the person come themselves to pick them up. Carrying drugs in a pill bottle that is not yours can easily get you busted. If they are not in a pill bottle, even your own pills can get you busted until you clear it up.
Proserpina
Moderator
When I lived in PA, I used to pick up my then-husband's Rather Strong Narcotic rx all the time. Right from the CVS drive-thru. There is NO legal restriction preventing a third party from collecting a valid prescription.
(consider the fact that many chronic pain patients are housebound - even without POA and/or equivalent, a caregiver is absolutely allowed to pick up said prescriptions)
jharris352
New Member
I totally agree with you. But there are policies from various pharmacies who limit other's from picking up narcotic prescriptions.
Proserpina
Moderator
Lawstudent102
New Member
thanks to all 4 your reply. I guess I will have to believe the officer and not pick up the prescription anymore.
raskalnikov
New Member
I don't believe the officer, because your mother might be incapacitated, unable to drive to the store, because she's too sick.
I would think if you pick them up, all the pills are there and in the bag from the pharmacist with receipt, you're fine.
I would think if you pick them up, all the pills are there and in the bag from the pharmacist with receipt, you're fine.
bluemann33
New Member
My father is 100%disabled and he is on narcotic pain medication for a spine disease. My wife or I pick his up all the time, we also pick up (about 6 times a year) a elderly lady that goes to our church medicine that is also narcotic. The pharmacy 1 which is wal mart and the other a local, has never questioned either one of us. But as rask said the prescriptions are in a bag stapled shut and we don't ride around with it in the vehicle...we get it and take it to them. I live in VA so I dont know if it varies from state to state. Be cautious and maybe call your local police department and ask.
mightymoose
Moderator
This will really depend on the laws in DC. A good place to ask about it would be at the pharmacy.
Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about unless you are actually using the medication. You are able to produce a valid reason for possessing the meds, but you could not reasonably explain a blood test showing the drug in your system if you were to be arrested for being under the influence.
I don't know DC law... but I would bet it would be tough to find a statute that makes your possession of the drug under such a circumstance illegal. If it truly was illegal then the pharmacy absolutely would not give you the meds, because they would then have liability.
Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about unless you are actually using the medication. You are able to produce a valid reason for possessing the meds, but you could not reasonably explain a blood test showing the drug in your system if you were to be arrested for being under the influence.
I don't know DC law... but I would bet it would be tough to find a statute that makes your possession of the drug under such a circumstance illegal. If it truly was illegal then the pharmacy absolutely would not give you the meds, because they would then have liability.
army judge
Super Moderator
How did the officer come to DISCOVER the pills were in your possession?
I, like many others above, have collected and transported prescription medications for my wife and children.
There is no law in any US jurisdiction prohibiting the transportation (or mere possession) of properly marked prescription medication.
Otherwise, parents, friends, and relatives of incapacitated or ill persons could not assist their loved ones.
And, as someone above wisely pronounced, pharmacies would not dispense those items to others.
I, like many others above, have collected and transported prescription medications for my wife and children.
There is no law in any US jurisdiction prohibiting the transportation (or mere possession) of properly marked prescription medication.
Otherwise, parents, friends, and relatives of incapacitated or ill persons could not assist their loved ones.
And, as someone above wisely pronounced, pharmacies would not dispense those items to others.
The laws regarding pharmacy pick up vary from state to state. In my state, a pharmacist must verify the identity and age of the third party. He must also verify that the prescription holder has authorized the third party pick-up. If you've just picked the rx up and it is in transit, the sales receipt and a call to the pharmacy should satisfy the police. Otherwise, yes, it is illegal to be in possession of a controlled substance that was not prescribed to you.
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