Recently, a physician in northern Virginia received a 7-year jail sentence for running what prosecutors referred to as a "pill mill," illegally prescribing at least $1.2 million worth of drugs to clients.
The case is yet another example of the ongoing opioid crisis so many states across the US have battled for years. Today, we're exploring opioid use in Virginia and how the Virginia government has reacted to the ongoing issue of overly or illegally prescribed pain medication in our state.
At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, we handle drug crimes and personal injury cases for clients. We'll work with you to find the best path forward in your case.
To schedule a consultation with our team or learn more about our services, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949
">(757) 267-4949.What's the Story Behind Opioids in the US?
Awareness among the public of an opioid crisis sweeping the US first began to grow around 2014 or 2015. By 2016, the widespread abuse of prescription pain killers—primarily prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, codeine, and hydrocodone—was a talking point across the nation.
Then-President-Elect Donald Trump made combatting the opioid crisis a key issue of his early administration, pointing towards the abuse of prescription opioids as a potential reason to repeal the Affordable Care Act instituted by former President Barack Obama.
In 2017, under President Trump, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officially declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
In 2018 alone, 10.3 million Americans misused prescription opioids, 47,600 people died from overdosing on them, and 2 million Americans had an opioid use disorder (more commonly known as an addiction to opioids).
Those statistics were considered more than enough justification for the public health emergency order. It also coincided with the rise of fentanyl, an opioid commonly used to treat individuals with painful and terminal illnesses, as a cutting agent in other drugs, such as heroin. Fentanyl is incredibly dangerous even in small doses, and its appearance in illegal substances as a cutting agent dramatically increased overdose-related deaths across the US.
How Is Virginia Combatting the Opioid Crisis?
Cities across Virginia, such as Alexandria, responded to the opioid crisis by aggressively expanding treatment programs for opioid addiction and treatment. Encouraging opioid users to seek help at official treatment facilities enabled states across the US to tamp down on the opioid crisis and meaningfully expand treatment programs.
It appears to be working. In 2018, drug overdose deaths involving opioids in West Virginia fell from 833 in 2017 to 702 in 2018. Additionally, the number of deaths involving prescription opioids fell from 14,996 to 14,975.
However, the opioid crisis in Virginia and West Virginia is far from over. Deaths involving synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, rose—more than 24,800 individuals overdosed on fentanyl or similar drugs in 2018. Almost 70% of overdose deaths in West Virginia involved opioids.
In Virginia, the abuse or selling of Schedule II substances, such as prescription opioids and illegal substances, including methamphetamine, is penalized by a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $2,500.
At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, we'll work with you to pursue an optimal outcome in your drug crimes case.
To schedule a consultation with our team or learn more about our services, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949.
Understanding the Virginia Opioid Crisis—What You Should Know
Ask anyone, "what's the most dangerous holiday for drivers?" and New Year’s will probably be at the top of their list. The partying and drinking that accompanies New Year’s increases the chances of drunk drivers getting on the road, putting others' lives in jeopardy.
Today, we're taking a look at why exactly there are so many DUIs on New Year’s, and how drivers can stay safe over the holidays.
For help with your DUI case, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949
">(757) 267-4949. Our experienced DUI attorneys can help you defend your rights and pursue the best outcome in your case.Why Is New Year's Eve So Dangeous?
Every year, police offices make hundreds of arrests on New Year's Eve related to drunk drivers. In Virginia alone, 34% of all traffic fatalities in 2018 were alcohol-related, and 19,790 people were convicted of DUI throughout the year.
There are a few factors that play into why New Year's Eve is so dangerous for drivers:
- People are drinking. A whopping 47% of men and 40% of women admit to binge drinking during the New Year, and that figure doesn't factor in the number of people who aren't binge drinking but still consume too much alcohol to drive safely. It's one of the most popular holidays to drink over, which makes DUIs more likely to occur.
- People are driving late at night. Driving while impaired is never safe, but it becomes even more dangerous late at night. When many people drive on New Year's, it's after midnight—often around two or three in the morning. Driving at that hour while tired and intoxicated is a recipe for disaster.
- Weather conditions aren't always good. Last but not least, snow is falling on or around New Year's in many states in the US. Accidents are more likely to happen on icy roads or when it's raining, sleeting, or snowing.
How Can I Stay Safe During New Year's?
Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to stay safe during New Year's:
- Host a party yourself. If you want to partake, hosting a party at your place is the easiest way to ensure you don't need to drive anywhere when all is said and done. If you do host a party, make sure you work with guests and help them arrange transportation. Make everyone either come with a sober designated driver (DD) or use transportation like an Uber or Taxi. Put out some non-alcoholic drinks for DDs, and consider putting together some sleeping arrangements in your living room for guests too intoxicated to drive so people can crash at your place until they're sober.
- If you go to a party, go with a DD. If you take your car, give the keys to the DD once you arrive at the party. Make sure the DD is sober before you leave—if there's any question, call an Uber or Taxi and come back for your car when you're sober, or sleep where the party is.
- If you're a DD, try and be extra aware of other cars on the road when you're driving. If you go to a house party, you may want to grab a quick nap or a coffee before you hit the road to help yourself remain alert. Look out for cars drifting in and out of lanes, driving without lights on, speeding, or making sudden movements. If you see a driver you believe is impaired, pull over to the side of the road until they're not near you anymore. Also be sure to check oncoming traffic regularly—sometimes, drunk drivers cross lane dividers.
If you or someone you know is arrested for a DUI, we can help. Our experienced DUI attorneys can help you find the best path forward in your case.
Contact The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller online or via phone at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949 to receive legal counsel from experienced DUI lawyers in Virginia.
Why Is New Year’s One of the Worst Times for Drunk Drivers?
In recent US elections, drug laws have featured prominently as a key point of contention between both presidential and down-ballot candidates. The 2020 US election was no different, and many states passed sweeping changes to drug laws that will change the landscape of criminal law moving forward.
Today, we're exploring which states changed their drug laws and how the impact of those changes could spread to other states (like Virginia) in the future.
At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, we help clients represent their best interests in criminal and family law cases, including drug crimes disputes. To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949
">(757) 267-4949.What Happened to Drug Laws Across the US During the 2020 Election?
After the 2020 election results finally rolled in, newspapers across the country like the New York Times debuted headlines such as This Election, a Divided American Stands United on One Topic: All kinds of Americans have turned their back on the destructive war on drugs.
As that should indicate, drug laws across the country saw a sweeping move towards liberalization and decriminalization.
In New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana, and Arizona, voters legalized marijuana, bringing the total number of states that have voted to legalize the drug to 35. Marijuana is still only fully illegal in Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina. However, only 14 states have fully legalized it. Many states, Virginia included, have legalized certain products such as CBD oil for medical uses and have decriminalized marijuana, but still have restrictions on its usage.
Additionally, constituents in Washington, D.C., voted to decriminalize psilocybin. Psilocybin is the key compound in psychedelic mushrooms, and its decriminalization is something advocates of various psychedelic-related treatments, including micro-dosing therapy, have pushed for across the US for years.
Finally, in the biggest win for legalization advocates, voters in Oregan moved to decriminalize small amounts of illegal drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines (although selling those drugs is still prohibited within the state). Constituents also approved an initiative to create a licensing program for psilocybin providers.
What Happens Next?
The impact of decriminalizing and legalizing drugs, including "harder" drugs like heroin and methamphetamines, has yet to be seen in the US. However, the precedent for sweeping decriminalization exists. The decriminalization of marijuana has been linked to less crime, and other countries have seen positive results from legalizing more powerful drugs.
Legalizing drugs across the US indicates a shift away from the criminalization of drugs and drug-users and a shift towards rehabilitation. That could help individuals accused of drug crimes get their lives back on track more easily after receiving a conviction or being involved in a drug case.
It could also make it easier for individuals already convicted of drug crimes to request a reduction in their sentences or regain certain rights typically not afforded to felons.
Last but not least, decriminalization is seen as an effective measure of generating economic prosperity for many states. Legalizing drugs and licensing providers allows states to tax drug providers and consumers, which could provide a significant amount of revenue for states that do engage in legalization.
At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, we work with clients involved in drug crimes cases and help them find the best path forward in their case.
To schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about our services, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949.
The 2020 US Election & Drug Laws
