In 2017, the opioid crisis claimed an American life every seven and a half minutes. That was 70,237 prescription drug-related deaths. This was twice the amount of prescription-related deaths that occurred ten years ago. This number could potentially be higher as the federal government doesn’t track the deaths for every prescription drug. In response to this rising epidemic, law officers have started enforcing the Nevada prescription drug laws more effectively and judges have been imposing steeper punishments.

The regulation of Nevada prescription drug laws falls under NRS 454.316 “Possession of dangerous drug without prescription.” This is defined as “unlawful possession, not for purpose of sale” of any “dangerous drug” without a prescription. This occurs when someone “knowingly or intentionally possesses a controlled substance, unless it was “furnished to the person by a pharmacist pursuant to a legal prescription or by a practitioner.”

If someone is convicted for possession of a prescription drug without a prescription, then it is a gross misdemeanor which carries up to 364 days in jail and/or a $2,000 fine. If a person is arrested again for the same charge, then they will be charged with a Category E felony and they are facing a prison sentence of one to four years. This can be avoided if they are willing to complete a drug education and rehabilitation program and are accepted into such a program.

Nevada prescription drug laws were put into place to keep people from abusing medication that was not prescribed to them. There are several kinds of prescription medication that are abused across Nevada. If you or someone you know is in possession of the following prescription drugs without a prescription, they can be subject to arrest:

This is not a complete list, but these are some of the more commonly abused prescription drugs.

Some people think that they can share prescriptions with friends or family members. Others think that it’s okay to just hold onto someone else’s prescription.  These are common misconceptions. Whether you are taking the drugs or not, you must have the prescription filled out in your name. If not, you will be arrested for possession of a “dangerous drug.” If you or someone you know has been arrested for possession of prescription drugs you need to do the following:

Having your life disrupted by an arrest is a difficult and trying event. With an experienced lawyer by your side, you have the best chance of getting the most favorable outcome at the end of the case. Jesse Kalter has represented hundreds of Nevadans in drug cases alone. He has argued cases and had them thrown out, found not guilty or had the sentence reduced. He is available to serve the people of Reno , Sparks , Carson City, Fallon, Fernley, Dayton, Yerington, Douglas County, and all other Northern Nevada rural counties.

Nevada Prescription Drug Laws
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