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Senior Citizen Drug Dealers
Elderly individuals dealing with drug-related activities and facing prosecution as drug dealers is an unexpected yet growing concern. It’s surprising not just for their involvement but because these senior citizens are often battling financial challenges and health issues while being targeted for such offenses.
Why Are Seniors Getting Caught Up in Drug Dealing?
Seniors in Somerset, like elsewhere, often live on fixed incomes. Supplementing these incomes becomes difficult for many. While some manage to work additional jobs such as greeting customers or selling tickets, others face severe health conditions like arthritis, leaving them unable to engage in traditional employment. For some, selling prescribed medications becomes an unconventional and illegal source of income.
According to AARP, drug dealers frequently target seniors, persuading them with promises of quick financial returns. Once involved, it becomes challenging for seniors to escape the illegal trade. The prospect of financial gain combined with fear of retaliation from drug dealers creates a tight grip, leaving these individuals trapped.
The Most Commonly Traded Drugs
Senior citizens are often persuaded into selling medications like painkillers (e.g., oxycodone), antibiotics, and other daily prescriptions. Alarmingly, 40% of all painkiller consumption nationwide is attributed to elderly individuals. These medications can sell for as much as $50 per pill, presenting a temptation that is hard to resist for seniors struggling financially.
Even 90-day prescriptions, encouraged by many insurance companies for affordability, can leave seniors with an excess that presents significant profit-making potential if sold illegally.
The Impact on Communities
Unfortunately, the trade of prescription drugs has severe consequences beyond monetary profit. These drugs significantly contribute to overdose deaths and fuel Somerset’s opioid crisis. While some seniors may view selling medications as harmless or an act of helping others, the broader implications of addiction and misuse are devastating.
Many seniors may not fully comprehend the dangers of the substances they sell or the legal implications of their actions. This lack of understanding can lead them to unknowingly contribute to serious societal issues.
Legal Responses in Somerset
Law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), actively combat prescription drug trafficking, with heightened scrutiny on elderly offenders. Though judges often show leniency toward seniors, granting lighter sentences, law enforcement continues to make arrests, and many elderly individuals are experiencing their first brushes with the law.
Measures to Address Prescription Drug Misuse
Somerset, like Pennsylvania as a whole, has implemented measures to curb the misuse and illegal sale of prescription drugs. For example, legislation passed in November 2016 restricts urgent care and emergency room doctors from prescribing more than a seven-day supply of pills for patients. Additionally, these doctors must check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before prescribing opioids to ensure patients haven’t already received them elsewhere.
This law, effective as of January 1, 2017, aims to combat excess prescriptions and limit the availability of pills for illegal use. While helpful, it is unlikely to fully eliminate the problem.
Why Are Penalties Not Enough to Deter Seniors?
Despite the risks, the financial incentives for many elderly individuals often outweigh potential punishment. Coupled with lenient sentences, the allure of supplemental income makes drug dealing an attractive, albeit illegal, option for struggling seniors.
How Can a Somerset DUI Attorney Help?
If you or a loved one is facing charges for selling prescription drugs in Somerset, seeking legal support immediately is crucial. The experienced team at Logue Law Group can assist in reducing penalties or potentially dismissing charges altogether.
Our Somerset criminal lawyers excel in providing strategies tailored to each case, focusing on minimizing the impact on your life. Additionally, if you’re facing prescription drug-related arrests that coincide with impaired driving allegations, consulting a Somerset DUI attorney is equally critical.
Steps to Take If Arrested
If you or someone close to you has been charged with selling prescription drugs in Somerset, follow these important steps to protect your rights:
- Stay Calm
Maintain composure and be respectful when interacting with law enforcement. Agitation can complicate the process.
- Exercise Your Right to Silence
Avoid making statements or answering questions without a Somerset criminal lawyer present.
- Retain Legal Counsel Immediately
Contact an experienced Somerset DUI attorney to guide you through the legal process and help minimize potential consequences.
Contact Logue Law Group Today
The legal process can be daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Logue Law Group, our skilled Somerset criminal lawyers are here to provide the expertise and support you need during this challenging time.
Contact us at 844.PITT.DUI or visit our website to schedule a consultation. Time is of the essence in building a strong defense, so don’t delay. Reach out today for trusted legal representation in Somerset.