Texas Drug Laws

[stan4]

That does seem like a stupid law. If you can get proof of rx, I don't see what the problem is.

And why the heck would someone being caught with these not just say, "Oh, those are tylenol/etc"? That's not prescription, and there's no way of telling right off the bat the difference between a generic tylenol pill and a hydrocodone pill.

[K9Guy52]

Look guys (and gals) I've been a cop for 25 years. We're not out to bust Grandma for carrying around her heart medication. This law applies to narcotics and dangerous drugs only. Give us a little credit. 95% of cops have at least a little more than average common sense. We have Grandmothers and mothers who do carry their prescriptions too. We're out to bust the pill pushers that are carrying bags or unmarked prescription bottles of NARCOTICS. We're not generally looking at elderly or sickly people, but the usual street punks who are generally healthy and would probably not be in need of 80 hydrocodone pills in a baggie hidden under the dashboard etc... You would be amazed at the stories we get told of why they are in possession of THEIR narcotic prescriptions hidden in a box under the spare tire etc. Without valid prescription bottles, we don't know what the pills are or, 2). know how much they should have in their possession at a time. ** It is NOT uncommon for a pill pusher to have prescriptions from 3 or 4 doctors, sell 3 prescriptions, and keep one for themselves. Once again common sense should be used by all parties involved in each circumstance.

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I see an easy out of avoiding this one. Don't give consent to a search. They must have reasonable cause to search ones person or vehicle anyway so just say, "no". And then add, "I'd like to speak w/ an attorney, please" if they get nasty.

It doesn't matter why you are pulled over or if you have prescription drugs or anything else that is contraband or not. Every attorney worth his or her salt tells people to refuse vehicle searches without warrants. There is no good that can come from a cop rooting around a vehicle. It's not like he or she is going to find a winning lotto ticket in there that you didn't know about.

As for the topic, I understand the reason for the law. Maybe a good compromise would be to keep the bottle itself nearby or to take a picture of the bottle and the pills and keep it on a smartphone.

[TX75007]

I have heard of the doctor shopper law and the pill mill law, but I have not heard of the law the OP cites. Can they provide a link?

Here is some background on the doctor shopper law.

Texas Medical Board News: DPS: One bottle of hydrocodone pills worth $18,000

The Department of Public Safety estimates one bottle of hydrocodone pills is worth $18,000.

WOW!!!

[kayest]

We have way too many drug problems in TX to change the laws or look the other way. Just keep your stuff in their original containers, no problem.