People from all generations and classes are at the risk of drug addiction. Generally, youngsters who have family issues or trouble from schools and bad companies get addicted to drugs.

And for the adults, they got addicted after a terrible break up/ divorce, losing money/ job, getting depressed or without the proper support. However,the law enforcement system and task forces are trying hard to target the drug dealer.

As for the newbies, they also have different categories if they are found with a stash of drugs. And after getting caught, according to the severity and amount of engagement in dealing drugs, you will get fined, imprisoned.

Let us give you details on the possible outcomes if you caught with drugs-      

What Are the Possible Outcomes for Drug Possession?

After considering the amount of drug possession, the variation of penalty happens. It mostly depends on the amount and type of drug, criminal history, and strictness of the law in your state. And if you have a strong defence and experienced lawyer from this field, your punishment can get lighter.

Common defences you can use before the jury board

If you are found with illegal substances without proper explanation and permission, you are most likely to get convicted. Sometimes, different medical pills work like drugs. That is why, without a prescription, you cannot possess medicine.

· By chance, if you are caught with a huge stash, then you are getting convicted for possession and distributing the drug. In that case, you need to apply the most common defence, which is you did not know about the stash, and someone must have pitched in to get away from the police. The real criminal is on the loose.

· Someone planned to trap you and planted the drug onto your pocket/ bag without your consent.

· You were searched without any unlawful warrant. You can form an application for that.

· Just because it looks like cocaine, it does not make it cocaine. Apply for lab analysis to buy you some time.

· If you have no criminal history, you can use this image to strengthen your defence in front of the jury.

Penalties for drug possession in Canada

If it is ‘soft’ kind of drug such as ‘cannabis’ within the limit, it will be seen as ‘a summary conviction offence’. So, possession of soft drugs will cost you 1000 dollars of fine and six months of imprisonment (if it is your first offence).

If it is your second offence, then the fine will be 2000 dollars and one year of imprisonment. However, if this is your first time and you are caught with soft kinds of drugs, the judge will leave you with a little bit of community service and with a fine of 250 to 500 dollars.

On the other hand, if it is cocaine, LSD, or heroin, your crime is way more serious to the prosecutor. Such as-

· Possession of cocaine- heroin= maximum of 7 years and 2000 dollars fine

· Trafficking or importing- exporting of cocaine (one kg or more)- imprisonment for life (maximum penalty)

· Production of cocaine/ heroin- 10 years with additional fine

· Amphetamines, LSD & psilocybin- maximum 3 years with additional fine

· Trafficking of amphetamines, LSD & psilocybin- 10 years of imprisonment and 5000 dollars fine

Cases where zero tolerance is shown

· If you are involved in drug dealing organizations

· If it is done to benefit a crime company or to arrange a crime

· The dealing involved your generation

· The suspect is caught in front of the school

· The offence happened in prison

So, in these cases, the only possible outcome is imprisonment according to the type and amount of your drug possession.

Final thoughts

Drug addiction can start with experiments or copying someone cooler (nowadays, different Hollywood heroes and rapper are critically addicted to drugs). Still, it can end with devastating ending such as chronic diseases, loss of productivity for both male and female, distorting mental health (depression, schizophrenia, etc.), breakage of family and finally death.

So, before you start experimenting or trafficking drugs, think about your family, career, and more importantly, your life. The drug is never a solution to anyone, whether they are famous or not. Every year, thousands of people die for a drug overdose. So, be cautious about children, young adults, and people with fragile mental health. Also, you should know what the possible outcomes for drug possession are.