One fear of many Utah doctors is that patients will go to multiple doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions for the same drug.  The prescription drugs can then be abused or be sold illegally to other people.  To fight against this “doctor shopping,” the Utah State Legislature in 1995 created the Controlled Substance Database (CSD) Program and assigned the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) to maintain the database.  The CSD requires doctors and pharmacies to record drugs prescribed to any individual receiving a prescription.  This allows doctors and pharmacies to check the CSD to see if people are receiving multiple prescriptions for the same drugs.  This helps to cut down on the doctor shopping problem and helps people to avoid being charged with distribution or possession of a controlled substance crime.

Police Abuse of the CSD

The problem with the CSD was that it was easily accessible by police officers.  Whenever someone was being investigated for a drug crime police officers would often use the database to access the personal information of the investigated individual to help bolster their suspicion of a drug offense.  This information would often be used to obtain the probable cause needed to obtain a search warrant or an arrest warrant.

It became routine for police officers to check the CSD.  A legislative audit of police use of the CSD revealed police officers accessed the database on several occasions when there was no justifiable reason to access the information.  Because of the potential violation of people’s privacy, a law was passed this year that required police and prosecutors to first obtain a warrant to access information from the CSD.  Before the new law, police accessed the database on average 238 times a month.  After the new law went into effect police only accessed the CSD 12 times a month.  The law obviously cut down on the use of the CSD because police are no longer given unfettered access.  The restriction for access is a good thing and it helps ensure people’s medical information is kept private.

Fight Your Drug Charges

If you are being charged with distribution or possession of a controlled substance in the Provo/Orem area contact a Criminal Defense Provo lawyer today.  Our lawyers can help determine if evidence was obtained illegally against you and help you fight your drug charges.  If evidence against you was obtained illegally, it may be possible to have the evidence thrown out.  Call 801.900.3371 to speak with a criminal defense lawyer today.

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Utah County Drug Court

In many cases where someone was charged with a prescription drug related offense or other drug offense such as cocaine or meth, the Utah County Drug Court may be a good resolution to the case. With drug court, the alleged defendant is required to enter a treatment and educational program which helps to resolve their underlying addiction issues rather than going to jail and suffering other potentially harsh penalties. Not everyone qualifies for drug court so it is important to have your case reviewed by a Provo criminal defense attorney in our office as soon as possible. Here, we have helped many people through the drug court system and in resolving their felony cases in a way that allows them to keep their job, avoid jail, and continue to be in their families lives.

Provo Drug Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with prescription drug related offenses in Provo, Orem, Spanish Fork, Lehi, or anywhere else in the county, we can help. Call and speak with a Provo drug defense lawyer in our office today. We look forward to your call.

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