Many prescription drugs can do wonders for helping us alleviate pain, improve our quality of life, and regain our health. However, some have also come with side effects, including addiction. Combined with surging costs of some of these drugs due to the high cost to develop and produce them, prescription drug crimes have become a serious issue.

Today, there are several different types of prescription drug crimes, including:

• Unauthorized possession of prescription drugs: possessing a controlled substance without authorization, either from a doctor or from a regulating body, is against the law, even if you have no intent on using it.
• Unauthorized distribution of prescription drugs: Buying or selling prescription drugs without authorization is against the law, including buying drugs online or through a “pill mill.”
• Prescription fraud: Forging a prescription either by misrepresenting yourself as a doctor, “doctor shopping” to find one who will give you the prescription you’re seeking, or using computers to make a fake prescription is against the law and could lead to penalties.

Most prescription drug crimes can vary in their penalties, depending on how many drugs were acquired illegally, your intent with them, and more. In small cases, your charges could be a misdemeanor, but in serious cases, it’s also not uncommon to have to face felony charges.