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Fort Wayne Alprazolam Attorney Fights Drug Charges

Determined Xanax lawyer defends cases throughout Indiana

Xanax is a widely used anti-anxiety medication, but it is only available by prescription. If you acquire Xanax unlawfully or transfer your prescribed pills to someone else, you could face state and federal charges. Prosecutors are zealous about pursuing convictions, so you need someone just as determined on your side. At the Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey, we have your back. We fight to protect your rights and challenge the prosecution’s case against you. Our firm believes in results, and we work to deliver your best possible outcome.

A brief history of alprazolam, a.k.a. Xanax

In the 1960s, antidepressant drugs had become popular, but many on the market were proving overly harsh and toxic to the nervous system. Upjohn Laboratories in Michigan had developed alprazolam, better known by the market name Xanax, as a sleep aid with muscle-relaxing qualities, but officials at the lab recognized it could be effective against anxiety and panic attacks. Upjohn repositioned Xanax as an antidepressant, and studies showed that it was gentler than many products currently in use. However, the FDA did not approve Xanax for that use, but allowed Upjohn to release it as an anti-anxiety medication. By the early 1990s, the drug had gained wide acceptance in the psychiatric community.

Xanax has proven to have addictive qualities. Although many patients do not develop a tolerance for the drug, those that discontinue use see their symptoms return and may start craving it. Doctors do not recommend abruptly quitting Xanax. Side effects include depressed moods and suicidal thoughts, confusion, hyperactivity, agitation, hostility and hallucinations.

Penalties for unauthorized possession or sale of Xanax

Because Xanax has a low potential for abuse and wide acceptance for medical use, the federal government lists it as a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance. Dealing Xanax is a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. But this drug crime may increase in severity:

  • Level 6 felony — Amount is at least one gram but less than five grams, or less than one gram with an enhancing circumstance. The mandatory minimum sentence is six months.
  • Level 5 felony — Amount is at least five but less than 10 grams, or at least one gram but less than five grams with an enhancing circumstance. The mandatory minimum sentence is one year, and the maximum is six years.
  • Level 4 felony — Amount is at least 10 grams but less than 28, or at least five but less than 10 grams with an enhancing circumstance. The mandatory minimum sentence is two years, and the maximum is twelve years.
  • Level 3 felony — Amount is at least 28 grams, or at least 10 grams but less than 28 with an enhancing circumstance. The mandatory minimum sentence is three years, and the maximum is 16 years.

Possession of Xanax without a valid prescription is a Class A misdemeanor, unless an enhancing circumstance applies, making it a Level 6 felony.

Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer for Xanax charges in Fort Wayne

Xanax is a relatively safe prescription drug when used as directed, but accusations of illicit use could cost your freedom and your reputation. To protect your rights, you need determined defense from an experienced attorney. Call the Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey today at 260-209-1666 or contact our Fort Wayne office online.