Minnesota has seen some new and unusual drugs come into the limelight lately. If you are the parent of teenagers it can sometimes be a daunting task protecting children from the dangers of the unknown. Attempting to find out what risks children are exposed to these days is a constant battle. From social media to the Internet to everyday interactions at school kids, spend more time away from their mentors than they do with them.
On top of that teenagers are not always equipped with the words to articulate concerns nor the emotional maturity to bring up the subjects of risks with their parents. This means that parents often have to do the legwork when it comes to investigating the risks their kids are facing. With the news tending to sensationalize and teens tending to minimize the risks they are subjected to, knowing where to begin is the first step.
Our team at Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Offices has put together the following information to inform those who are concerned about the drugs commonly used in Minnesota:
Drugs in Minnesota
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimates that a little over eight percent of Minnesota residents used illicit drugs over the past month. The national average is strikingly close, only a reported .22 percent difference between the two. In addition, 3.08 percent of Minnesotans report using an illicit drug other than marijuana; here the national average was 3.58 percent. In addition it was found that 359 people died in Minnesota as a direct result of drug use during 2007. This rate represents about half of the national average.
Marijuana
Without a doubt the most common drug used in the state of Minnesota is marijuana. Minnesota has a per se standard for the control of Schedule I substances such as marijuana. This means that law enforcement has probable cause to arrest a suspect for the possession of any amount of marijuana regardless of size. Punishments for possession of marijuana vary dependent upon the quantity of marijuana law enforcement finds upon arrest or a subsequent search of the suspect’s property. It is also illegal for any person within the state to operate or be in control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.
Prescription Drugs
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) prescription drugs pose a serious problem in the task of managing substance abuse. The second most commonly abused drug is a class of drugs known as opiates, which includes many prescription painkillers. Both the federal government and the states have begun to take action to monitor the prescriptions written for patients.
Minnesota’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program serves to reduce the probability of patients simply shopping around for a doctor who will write them the desired prescription. The program also requires regular reporting of pharmacies for prescriptions given to patients. These organizations recommend that patients who no longer need their pain medications dispose of them so as to avoid an instance where the pills winding up in the wrong hands.
Contact our team today if you have questions about Minnesota’s drug laws. We are always happy to help