There are many ways that people can violate Florida state laws with regard to prescription drugs. Some of them are more obvious than others. It is against the law to drive while under the influence of certain substances. It is also illegal to transfer them to other people.
Even the process of trying to obtain medication can lead to criminal charges in some cases. Many people already know that it is illegal to secure prescription medication from someone other than a licensed medical professional. What they may not know is that attempts to get the same medication from multiple doctors could also actually be a crime. People typically refer to such behavior as doctor shopping. Florida may prosecute those accused of violating the law by seeking certain medication from multiple physicians.
Why is doctor shopping illegal?
Doctors help gatekeep dangerous prescription medications. They ensure that someone actually needs medication and can recommend an appropriate dosage based on their symptoms and other characteristics.
Florida law does not technically make it illegal to ask a doctor to prescribe a certain medication or to see a second doctor if the patient doesn’t agree with the decision of the first. However, it is illegal to lie to a doctor in an attempt to obtain medication.
Doctor shopping usually involves seeing multiple physicians in an attempt to obtain a substantial quantity of a specific substance. Lying to a doctor about current prescriptions and appointments with other physicians is a violation of Florida state law. Those who deny having a current prescription and attempt to acquire medication by misrepresenting their circumstances could face criminal charges if they get caught.
What looks criminal isn’t always a crime
The proliferation of opioid addiction and overdoses has led to a relatively harsh approach to drug policy enforcement in Florida. Law enforcement professionals and medical professionals are likely to err on the side of caution by reporting and taking action against people if their behavior looks inappropriate. Sometimes, there are totally reasonable explanations for behavior that looks like doctor shopping or fraudulent attempts to acquire medication.
Those facing drug charges related to prescription medication often need help responding to avoid a conviction and numerous criminal penalties. Reviewing the situation that led to a patient’s arrest with a skilled legal team can help that individual plan a reasonable defense strategy given their circumstances.
