Substance abuse in America affects millions of people, leading to crises in drug addiction, mental health issues, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Drug relates crimes include all crimes pertaining to illicit substances as well as various types of illegal activity and violent behavior deriving from drug offenders, drug dealers, the broader influence of drugs, and substance use.
An In-Depth Look at Drug-Related Crimes and Statistics
Substance abuse in America affects millions of people, leading to crises in drug addiction, mental health issues, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Drug relates crimes include all crimes pertaining to illicit substances as well as various types of illegal activity and violent behavior deriving from drug offenders, drug dealers, the broader influence of drugs, and substance use.
Drug laws in Georgia include a complex array of potential charges related to controlled substances and can lead to serious penalties, including long mandatory minimum sentences and large fines.
While the Georgia statutes are complex and charges may be confusing, an experienced attorney can help you understand the charges against you and simplify the way forward for you.
What are Drug-Related Crimes?
Under Georgia’s Controlled Substances Act, you may be charged for possessing as little as less than an ounce. Charges can stem from paraphernalia, “drug related objects,” raw materials, plants, various forms of THC (including vape pens or cartridges), substances used in manufacturing controlled substances, drug manufacturing, trafficking, distribution, and more.
Possession: Georgia law prohibits buying or possessing controlled substances without a valid prescription or license. Drug possession is generally a felony, and depending on the type of drug and amount possessed, can lead to serious sentences.
Simple possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, however, is a misdemeanor.
You may be charged with possession if the substance is found on your person or in your vehicle or belongings.
Distribution: “Distribution” refers to drug dealing activities, including selling, transporting, or delivering controlled substances. Drug dealing, however, may also be inferred merely based upon possession of slightly larger quantities of illegal drugs. Distribution is generally punished more severely than possession.
Drug Trafficking: Trafficking in controlled substances in Georgia refers to serious cases of possession, distribution, or manufacturing involving large amounts specified by statute. Drug trafficking charges carry very severe mandatory minimum sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years, and massive fine starting at $25,000. A judge is allowed to adjust a mandatory minimum downward with consent from the district attorney, so it is important to have a skilled and knowledgeable defense attorney working for you.
Drug-Related Crime Statistics and Figures
Generally speaking, where you find drugs, you will also find violence. Drug use and the illegal drug trade spur other criminal behavior. This includes property crimes and many forms of violent crime. Drug related crimes, therefore, include other types of crimes committed in relation to drug markets.
Georgia’s drug laws affect people from all walks of life. According to national drug abuse statistics, drug-related crimes account for 26% of all arrests in the United States. The statistics pertaining to crime and health crises derived from drug use are startling:
- Around 16% of all American homicides are drug-related.
- Over 46% of individuals serving time in state and federal prison are there for drug-related offenses.
- 17 million Americans age 12 and older report using illicit drugs in a given month.
- Law enforcement agencies process over 1.5 million drug related arrests every year.
- Overdoses on methamphetamines and cocaine have steadily increased since 2012.
- The opioid epidemic caused over 47,000 deaths in 2017 alone.
- 2.4 million Americans report abusing prescription pain relievers in a given year.
FAQs About Drug-Related Crimes
Is weed (pot/marijuana) legal in Georgia?
No. Not without a medical exception. While law enforcement some municipalities may choose not to enforce the law, it remains illegal under Georgia and federal law to possess marijuana. Even possession of less than an ounce can get you arrested for a misdemeanor.
How are other controlled substances are prohibited?
The law categorizes controlled substances based on five “schedules.” These schedules are derived from federal drug policy and rank substances by their potential for abuse and dependency, and their level of appropriate medical uses, if any.
- Schedule I drugs involve controlled substances that have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse and dependency. These include things like heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and many more. Inexplicably, THC, the active ingredient in Cannabis or marijuana, is still considered a Schedule I drug (except when derived from certain hemp products or contained in certain FDA approved products).
- Schedule II include dangerous drugs with a high potential for abuse and dependency, even though they may have some accepted medical uses. These include things like Vicodin, Fentanyl, Ritalin and Adderall, Demerol, OxyContin and oxycodone, opiates, as well as cocaine and methamphetamines.
- Schedule III controlled substances have acceptable medical uses and have low to moderate potential for dependency or abuse. These include drugs like codeine, Ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
- Schedule IV drugs have acceptable medical use and a low risk for potential abuse or dependency. These include Xanax, Soma, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Zolpidem which is Ambien, and Tramadol.
- Schedule V substances have even lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Some examples include cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin.
If You Are Facing Drug Charges Contact Garland, Samuel & Loeb
Georgia’s Controlled Substance Act is varied and complex. Violation of the controlled substance law can have very serious consequences. If you are facing drug charges in Georgia, you need an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to help you.
For more information on drug related crimes, see our related pages Drug Trafficking and Federal Charges.
