California Youth Turning to Oxycontin Abuse
One in ten high school seniors have used narcotic painkillers to get high. When it comes to Oxycontin, that number seems to be growing among young adults. According to a report from the Sacramento Bee, this drug provides a high that is attracting more and more people.
Prescription drugs are the new drugs of choice. Not only in California, but across the country. The stigma associated with pills isn’t nearly as dark as the stigma associated with other drugs like heroin and cocaine. We all have a picture of what a “junkie” looks like and it’s rarely someone who is popping pills.
The belief is that this flawed image of what an addict looks like may be contributing to the growing number of Oxycontin users and its apparent acceptance among younger adults. It’s viewed as a “party” drug instead of the highly addictive substance it truly is.
One user reports the high is similar to “someone hugging you from the inside out.” In other words—it’s a feel good drug. However, what can start out as a feel-good high can end with pain and nausea as you try to kick a habit that grows quickly out of control.
One pill taken at a party can quickly turn into a habit that requires hundreds of dollars a week. The body quickly builds a tolerance to narcotics like this, making it harder and harder to get the same high. The most effective way of handling an oxy addiction? Methadone—the same drug prescribed to heroin addicts.
Although the face of heroin and cocaine abuse may not match the face of OxyContin abuse, the penalties for using it often does. Possession of a prescription drug like this without a legitimate prescription is punishable by jail time, depending on how much you are caught with. If you are charged with attempting to fill a prescription not intended for you or fraudulent in some other way, you can face additional charges.
It isn’t unheard of for people who have never been exposed to the criminal justice system to experience their first exposure at the hands of drug abuse. If you were dabbling in oxy use and got caught, your disillusionment of this being a harmless drug has likely come crashing down around you. Luckily, however, if this is your first offense we may be able to get you some help.
As your exposure to the courts increases, a judge’s leniency decreases. In other words, if this is your first run in with the law, we may be able to work out a Proposition 36 or a deferred judgment. Both of these involve drug treatment and help for your possible drug problem in lieu of jail time.
If you’re facing possession of Oxycontin or any other controlled substance and need help—contact our offices today.
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