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Narcotic presciption law... PLEASE READ!
This is outragous!
I thought it would be crucial information for us to know though.
It is really terrible what happened to this person. I do not want this to happen to any of you here so please keep this in mind.
There needs to be a law requiring labeling stating that all prescribed narcotic prescriptions must be kept in their original prescribed bottles at all times!
I currently always keep a day or two's worth of all my medication (non-narcotic & narcotic) mixed together in one pill bottle and keep it on me in my purse. To me it is easier, than keeping two or three large bottles of narcotic medications in my purse, which could easily be lost or stolen. At home, I keep a weeks worth in those daily medication carriers, because I lock the rest of my narcotics up in a fire proof safe. This also keeps unknown people in my house from getting to them along with my 5 yr old daughter.
Recently, I went on a trip for a week to visit my father out of state where he was working. I had my mixed medication bottle in my purse, and a weeks worth of medication in their bottles packed in my suit cases, which were in the back of my car that I was driving. I left the rest home, since I just got a month's supply and I didn't want to take a chance of them being lost or stolen. Also a friend told me he was arrested while going away for a week and he had his full months prescription on him, so they got him on intent to sell or distribute dangerous controlled substances, because the cop said he did not need a full month's worth of medication for a week's trip! (What happened to keeping the medication together in their prescribed bottle?) So anyway, I was pulled over for speeding during my drive up to where I was going. The cop didn't search my car, but went through my purse and saw the medication bottle, which he opened. He asked me what all the pills were, and I was completely honest with him. I also told him the prescription bottles were packed away in my suit cases. I stated that I kept a few out of each, because I did not know how long that I would be on the road traveling. Now I have been on these medications for more than 5 years, so there was no driving while intoxicated because they did not work like that on me. The cop arrested me for being in possession of dangerous controlled substances! Now, until this, I did not know it was illegal to carry narcotics that you have prescriptions for in other means. I mean why do they make pill cases without warning labels on them? These ended up being Felony charges against me! I couldn't get the DA to drop the case even though I had valid prescriptions for them. Plus they were confiscated and I ran short at the end of the month, so I went through withdrawl a few days.
I called the DEA, no one could find this law! I looked under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, and it is not there! So I firmly believe if this is supposed to be a federal law that you can go to jail for, then it should be easy to find and it is not!
THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS LAW SHOULD BE MADE MORE PUBLICALLY KNOWN TO ALL THOSE ON PAIN MEDS AND IT SHOULD BE LABELED ON THE BOTTLE, LIKE THE OTHER LABELS, STATING " PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION MUST BE KEPT WITH ORIGINAL CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES."
I have talked to many and many people who have run into this situation that was clueless like myself. I think this law change and labeling addition would say alot of police officer's and courts time & money!
I thought it would be crucial information for us to know though.
It is really terrible what happened to this person. I do not want this to happen to any of you here so please keep this in mind.
There needs to be a law requiring labeling stating that all prescribed narcotic prescriptions must be kept in their original prescribed bottles at all times!
I currently always keep a day or two's worth of all my medication (non-narcotic & narcotic) mixed together in one pill bottle and keep it on me in my purse. To me it is easier, than keeping two or three large bottles of narcotic medications in my purse, which could easily be lost or stolen. At home, I keep a weeks worth in those daily medication carriers, because I lock the rest of my narcotics up in a fire proof safe. This also keeps unknown people in my house from getting to them along with my 5 yr old daughter.
Recently, I went on a trip for a week to visit my father out of state where he was working. I had my mixed medication bottle in my purse, and a weeks worth of medication in their bottles packed in my suit cases, which were in the back of my car that I was driving. I left the rest home, since I just got a month's supply and I didn't want to take a chance of them being lost or stolen. Also a friend told me he was arrested while going away for a week and he had his full months prescription on him, so they got him on intent to sell or distribute dangerous controlled substances, because the cop said he did not need a full month's worth of medication for a week's trip! (What happened to keeping the medication together in their prescribed bottle?) So anyway, I was pulled over for speeding during my drive up to where I was going. The cop didn't search my car, but went through my purse and saw the medication bottle, which he opened. He asked me what all the pills were, and I was completely honest with him. I also told him the prescription bottles were packed away in my suit cases. I stated that I kept a few out of each, because I did not know how long that I would be on the road traveling. Now I have been on these medications for more than 5 years, so there was no driving while intoxicated because they did not work like that on me. The cop arrested me for being in possession of dangerous controlled substances! Now, until this, I did not know it was illegal to carry narcotics that you have prescriptions for in other means. I mean why do they make pill cases without warning labels on them? These ended up being Felony charges against me! I couldn't get the DA to drop the case even though I had valid prescriptions for them. Plus they were confiscated and I ran short at the end of the month, so I went through withdrawl a few days.
I called the DEA, no one could find this law! I looked under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, and it is not there! So I firmly believe if this is supposed to be a federal law that you can go to jail for, then it should be easy to find and it is not!
THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS LAW SHOULD BE MADE MORE PUBLICALLY KNOWN TO ALL THOSE ON PAIN MEDS AND IT SHOULD BE LABELED ON THE BOTTLE, LIKE THE OTHER LABELS, STATING " PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION MUST BE KEPT WITH ORIGINAL CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES."
I have talked to many and many people who have run into this situation that was clueless like myself. I think this law change and labeling addition would say alot of police officer's and courts time & money!
Oh Vicky I am soo sorry for what you have been through! I do hope you consult an attorney as red said they had to probable reason to search you and if you did not give them permission they were out of line! Also you had legitimate prescriptions for your pain medications so I would definitely look into putting a case against them to show them they were wrong and the horrible time they put you through not to mention your sisters kids! Oh that is awful they had to endure the pain they must have gone through for nothing! Talk to a attorney please!
Red,
Thank you so much for chiming in on this topic. We can always count on you to advise us when it comes to matters like this, we are really lucky to have you here as part of our community! Thanks again:)
Red,
Thank you so much for chiming in on this topic. We can always count on you to advise us when it comes to matters like this, we are really lucky to have you here as part of our community! Thanks again:)
Well.......I got onto this one a bit late but as I am a police officer let me try to clear up some things.
In my 23 years in law enforcement I know of NO law that states you can not travel with prescription pain medication on your person that IS prescribed to you. There are ordinances that vary from state to state on quantity that you may have that is not in the labeled bottle so it is best to just have it in the bottle as I myself carry them. The Federal Goverment and the DEA actually encourage those that have to travel with these types of medications to have them in a carry on bag and not in a checked bag because of the level of abuse of these narcotics and the risk of theft.
You CAN be arrested and charged with DUI in all 50 States if you are caught driving while taking these medications, prescribed or not. I am assuming that is why the woman's husband who is a Philadelphia Police Officer said not to say anything. All of us that take these medications know that it is almost impossible to not be able to drive if we have to take these medications everyday. It is just another problem we all deal with everyday. None the less it is against the law.
In regards to Vickey's story the way she explains it, that was an illegal search in any state. The police officer could not search your vehicle or your purse without probable cause or your permission. This would be the same for the person mentioned in the story that Sandee posted. The officer can ask you to put your purse outside the vehicle for his/her own protection in case there may be a weapon in there. If he or she feels that there may be a weapon or contraband in the purse they still must ask permission or get a warrant as once it is not within your reach it no longer poses a threat. You don't forfeit any of your rights because you are in the company of someone that is on probation. I don't know what happened as I wasn't there and I am very sorry to hear that you had to lose your leg and then suffer through this experience as well.
If you were unable to travel anywhere with these medications, how would you get them home from the pharmacy? That is why Vickey's story has me a bit confused as she said her medications were prescribed and in the labeled bottles. Even if prescription fraud were suspected an investigation should have to be conducted prior to charges be filed.
It took me a very long time to type this because of my conditions, but I seems that some are getting confused with the law here and I wouldn't want anyone to go without their prescribed medications because they thought they couldn't leave their home with them without the fear of being arrested.
In my 23 years in law enforcement I know of NO law that states you can not travel with prescription pain medication on your person that IS prescribed to you. There are ordinances that vary from state to state on quantity that you may have that is not in the labeled bottle so it is best to just have it in the bottle as I myself carry them. The Federal Goverment and the DEA actually encourage those that have to travel with these types of medications to have them in a carry on bag and not in a checked bag because of the level of abuse of these narcotics and the risk of theft.
You CAN be arrested and charged with DUI in all 50 States if you are caught driving while taking these medications, prescribed or not. I am assuming that is why the woman's husband who is a Philadelphia Police Officer said not to say anything. All of us that take these medications know that it is almost impossible to not be able to drive if we have to take these medications everyday. It is just another problem we all deal with everyday. None the less it is against the law.
In regards to Vickey's story the way she explains it, that was an illegal search in any state. The police officer could not search your vehicle or your purse without probable cause or your permission. This would be the same for the person mentioned in the story that Sandee posted. The officer can ask you to put your purse outside the vehicle for his/her own protection in case there may be a weapon in there. If he or she feels that there may be a weapon or contraband in the purse they still must ask permission or get a warrant as once it is not within your reach it no longer poses a threat. You don't forfeit any of your rights because you are in the company of someone that is on probation. I don't know what happened as I wasn't there and I am very sorry to hear that you had to lose your leg and then suffer through this experience as well.
If you were unable to travel anywhere with these medications, how would you get them home from the pharmacy? That is why Vickey's story has me a bit confused as she said her medications were prescribed and in the labeled bottles. Even if prescription fraud were suspected an investigation should have to be conducted prior to charges be filed.
It took me a very long time to type this because of my conditions, but I seems that some are getting confused with the law here and I wouldn't want anyone to go without their prescribed medications because they thought they couldn't leave their home with them without the fear of being arrested.
My husband is a Police Officer in Philadelphia for over 10 years now and he tells me all the time, NEVER OFFER INFORMATION. Even if you know you are totally innocent and think that you should just tell the cops what is going on it is ALWAYS best to shut your mouth and wait for a lawyer. It is a shame that we are all guilty until proven innocent but that is the case and beleive me, being married to one I can tell you. cops can be real jerks! My heart goes out to those of us that have been accused unfairly of being a drug addict/seeker.
xo
Babs
xo
Babs
I have to say Vickey, that's horrible. However for most, I don't think that would happen.
1. If you take the medication legally, you have backup. Cops can't charge you with possession of something you're meant to have unless they're complete psychos.
2. I can't imagine they'd get angry at having 60 pills in a bottle that says you have 60 pills. It would seem far more suspicious to have 20 in a bottle meant for 60.
3. Also, don't tell cops anything if you can help it until you speak to a lawyer. It can end up hurting you more than helping.
1. If you take the medication legally, you have backup. Cops can't charge you with possession of something you're meant to have unless they're complete psychos.
2. I can't imagine they'd get angry at having 60 pills in a bottle that says you have 60 pills. It would seem far more suspicious to have 20 in a bottle meant for 60.
3. Also, don't tell cops anything if you can help it until you speak to a lawyer. It can end up hurting you more than helping.
Well, I've heard it all now. I have someone in my home that used to (too recently ago) steal my drugs and take them himself. I had to take all mine with me at times. I also put some of each of my drugs into a single bottle. I take a great many meds and I can't take them all or I'd have to go to church, the store, etc. with a suitcase! This is absurd! Sometimes, when I know I'm innocent, or in the right, I tend to behave naively. I guess I need to figure something out. I thought the only time you could get into trouble was if you crossed country borders or something. If they have to be in their original bottles, yet you can't have a months worth - what is the answer? Put most in an old bottle, also marked by the correct label, and take just the right amount in the current bottle? What if you're held over and you run out? Oh my, I'm not sure how to handle this. Maybe it's a good thing that I'm now too sick to leave home much. The only places I go are the doctor and hospital, but being stopped speeding etc. still would be a problem. I'm stumped.
Jan
Jan
I can totally relate to what you guys are all talking about. And believe it or not it gets worse. I was giving a friend of my sisters a ride to a local store. When we stopped for gas a cop started harassing my sister's friend and somehow that turned into finding out that she was on probation. I was in paying for the gas and using the potty then came out to find her with the cops at my car. He was just starting to search MY CAR when I came out. I asked what the problem was and he said that he had seen my friend in the parking lot and DIDN'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF HER and low and behold he said that his instincts were good, because after all she is on probation. He then searched my car, and then asked for my purse. I asked why, and was told that because I was with her that made me searchable as well. When going through my purse he found my meds. in their prescribed bottles. He wasn't familiar with the names and asked me what they were. I was honest and told him exactly what they were and what they were for. I had a bottle of Avinza (morphine er), a bottle of Oxycodoone, a bottle of dilaudid, and a bottle of Ambien. I was charged with four felony counts of possession of a C2 controlled substance. I went to jail for 5 days. I was arrested on a fri. night and did not get in front of a judge until the following wednesday. At that time they OR'd me, but that didnt give me back my 5 days.
I went to court over this 6 or 7 times, the arraigment, assigning an attorney, (they only make on tiny little decisions each time and then it is come back in another month. In the middle of all this I was very ill and didn't realize it, I ended up in the hospital, my case, (which I had already provided documentation to the court re: the prescriptions), and my attorney had said that they would probably drop the charges on our next visit as soon as they verified the validity of the documents. But being in the hospital I missed the next court date. When I contacted the public defenders office I found that my case had been transferred to a different court, a different DA and my public defender had retired. The new attorney did not seem to think I was really that bad off and kept setting new court dates 3 weeks away. Even though I told her that I had no idea when I was due to be released, that they were talking about taking my leg off and that I was due to be in the hospital for quite awhile. She set 6 different court appearances, I was in the hospital for all of them. When I was released I found that those missed appearances really ++=# off my judge so he issued a warrant for my arrest for $30,000.00 When I begged my PD to get it back on the calendar I was told that the only way to do that was to turn myself into the jail and wait until they could get me in front of a judge. Having just had my leg cut off I couldn't really think Of anything I wanted to do less than go to jail with one leg. So I waited.. trying to figure out what to do.
Flash forward 6 months...BAM BAM BAM at the door. The police were there to arrest me.. my sisters kids were taken by cps. (They've lived with me almost their whole lives), I bailed out in 2 hours. They would not return the kids. They declared me an unsuitable caregiver, and put my babies in foster care. Where they still are today. Yes the charges did get taken care of. It took my hiring my own attorney but they did finally drop the charges at the beginning of May. I go to court next week, and the attorney for the girls, and the attorney for my sister are all endorsing them being allowed to come home. I have no idea if that is going to happen or not. I pray that it does. I am really afraid that it won't because it seems like the personnel at the foster care agency have an agenda of their own, and it seems to involve the money they get to keep the kids more than what is best for them. They have been placed in 4 homes in 4 months.
Is there a moral to the story...The only one I can think of is don't take your drugs with you...it can ruin your life..and the lives of ones you love. This story is sad but true. I wish it weren't.
Vickey
I went to court over this 6 or 7 times, the arraigment, assigning an attorney, (they only make on tiny little decisions each time and then it is come back in another month. In the middle of all this I was very ill and didn't realize it, I ended up in the hospital, my case, (which I had already provided documentation to the court re: the prescriptions), and my attorney had said that they would probably drop the charges on our next visit as soon as they verified the validity of the documents. But being in the hospital I missed the next court date. When I contacted the public defenders office I found that my case had been transferred to a different court, a different DA and my public defender had retired. The new attorney did not seem to think I was really that bad off and kept setting new court dates 3 weeks away. Even though I told her that I had no idea when I was due to be released, that they were talking about taking my leg off and that I was due to be in the hospital for quite awhile. She set 6 different court appearances, I was in the hospital for all of them. When I was released I found that those missed appearances really ++=# off my judge so he issued a warrant for my arrest for $30,000.00 When I begged my PD to get it back on the calendar I was told that the only way to do that was to turn myself into the jail and wait until they could get me in front of a judge. Having just had my leg cut off I couldn't really think Of anything I wanted to do less than go to jail with one leg. So I waited.. trying to figure out what to do.
Flash forward 6 months...BAM BAM BAM at the door. The police were there to arrest me.. my sisters kids were taken by cps. (They've lived with me almost their whole lives), I bailed out in 2 hours. They would not return the kids. They declared me an unsuitable caregiver, and put my babies in foster care. Where they still are today. Yes the charges did get taken care of. It took my hiring my own attorney but they did finally drop the charges at the beginning of May. I go to court next week, and the attorney for the girls, and the attorney for my sister are all endorsing them being allowed to come home. I have no idea if that is going to happen or not. I pray that it does. I am really afraid that it won't because it seems like the personnel at the foster care agency have an agenda of their own, and it seems to involve the money they get to keep the kids more than what is best for them. They have been placed in 4 homes in 4 months.
Is there a moral to the story...The only one I can think of is don't take your drugs with you...it can ruin your life..and the lives of ones you love. This story is sad but true. I wish it weren't.
Vickey
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