Senior Citizen Drug Dealers

A recent news story highlighted a surprising trend: elderly people getting involved in selling drugs and facing charges as dealers. It’s a situation that raises many questions. While it might seem shocking, it’s less about their involvement and more about the fact they are being prosecuted. The image of a grandmother being charged for selling her prescription medication is certainly unexpected.

It’s a well-known fact that many senior citizens struggle financially, often relying on fixed incomes that don’t always cover their expenses. Some are able to find part-time jobs, like greeting shoppers at a store or selling tickets, to supplement their pensions. However, many others are unable to work due to chronic illnesses and daily pain from conditions such as arthritis. For this group, a new, albeit illegal, method of earning money has emerged. A knowledgeable Steubenville criminal lawyer can provide guidance if you or a loved one is facing such charges.

How Do Seniors Get Involved in Selling Drugs?

According to a report by AARP, drug dealers specifically target older adults. They might use coercion or offer attractive financial rewards to draw them into the trade. Once a senior starts selling their prescription medication, it can be extremely difficult to stop. The combination of easy money and the fear of what the drug dealer might do creates a powerful trap that is hard to escape.

What Drugs Are They Selling?

The most commonly sold drugs are prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone, but also include antibiotics and other daily medications. It’s startling to learn that, according to some reports, elderly people in the United States consume about 40% of all painkillers. These pills can sell for as much as $50 each on the street, a significant amount of money for anyone, especially an older person trying to make ends meet. This is a serious issue that may require the expertise of a Steubenville DUI attorney.

The Broader Consequences of This Trade

Unfortunately, the impact of this activity goes far beyond the seniors who are selling the drugs. These medications are contributing to the rising number of overdose deaths and are a major factor in the opioid epidemic affecting communities across the country, including in Steubenville.

Even individuals in their 90s are taking part. They might opt for a 90-day supply of their medication because it’s cheaper through their insurance. If they don’t use all the pills within that three-month period, they are left with a surplus that can be sold for a substantial profit.

Lack of Awareness About the Dangers

It’s also important to consider that many elderly individuals may not fully understand the seriousness of selling their prescriptions or the dangers these drugs pose. They might see it as helping someone in need or simply as a creative way to pay their bills. The severe consequences of these drugs often remain unknown to them. A seasoned Steubenville criminal lawyer can help clarify the legal risks and provide compassionate defense for those who may have made a poor decision without fully realizing the impact.

The Legal System’s Response

Law enforcement agencies, including local police and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), take the selling of prescription drugs very seriously. While judges may give lighter sentences to elderly defendants and juries might be surprised by their age, arrests continue to be made. For many of these seniors, this is their first time dealing with the legal system. A Steubenville criminal lawyer can be a crucial ally in these situations.

Some states have started to address this problem by creating new regulations for prescription medications. For example, some laws now limit doctors in urgent care or emergency rooms to prescribing no more than a seven-day supply of certain pills. These doctors are also barred from writing refills for patients suspected of substance abuse without referring them for treatment. Additionally, they must check a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to see if the patient has already received opioids from another doctor.

While these new laws are expected to help reduce the problem, they are unlikely to solve it entirely. For many elderly individuals, the financial benefits of selling drugs can still seem to outweigh the risks.

Criminal Lawyers at Logue Law Group

If you or a family member has been arrested for selling prescription drugs, it is essential to get help from an expert and experienced legal team. The Steubenville DUI attorney team at Logue Law Group can assist in getting your charges reduced or even dismissed. Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today at 844.PITT.DUI or visit our website to learn more.