Because of the tremendous societal consequences of drug abuse, the possession or sale of most heavy and highly addictive drugs (like methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and prescription painkillers) is considered a serious crime. However, lawmakers also recognize the fact that many who are arrested for drug possession or sale are addicts themselves. As a result, some drug offenses are classified separately under state law and they can provide the trial judge with discretion to order alternatives to incarceration, like court-supervised probation or even a stay in rehab.
26 January 2017
