Drug Methadone

Question by Aster: How do you feel about this people being charged with DUI after taking prescribed medication or OTC medication?
Many medications have the ability to alter a person’s ability to drive. I take an anti-seizure medication and have for years. The bottle states: “MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS. USE CARE WHEN OPERATING A CAR OR DANGEROUS MACHINERY. ALCOHOL MAY INTENSIFY THE EFFECT” I have had other, similar warnings before, but NONE have ever said “”do not drive.” They may warn to learn how the medication effects you before driving.

Anyway, I recently learned that people taking medication, as prescribed, can be charged with DUI/DWI, especially after a crash.

I know that my medication does not impair me. But, I have been prescribed, in the past, others meds that DO impair me. I would NEVER get behind the wheel on a medication I wasn’t adjusted to or that was new to me.

Last I checked, hydrocodone (vicodin) was the # 1 prescribed medication is the USA. I know dozens of people who take medicine to manage pain, anxiety, allergies. None of the people I know are addicts or abusing their medication.

I am left wondering WHY a person can be charged for being under the influence, as tolerance varies by person? I could never take a vicodin and drive, but I’m sure there are others who could never take my medication and drive.

What do you think of this practice? It has me half afraid to drive anywhere!

I know an attorney could probably have the charges dropped in some cases, but still a person must go through all the legal proceedings and fees. Plus, how is anyone to know how a certain medication effects each individual.

I used to work with a person who was on a high dose of methadone. He swore he felt no effects from it. We drove 7 hours per day and had to pass a drug test. He had a prescription and was given the job of driving. But, he often seemed “drunk” to me.
Of course, nobody should drive while impaired by any substance. The question isn’t about that. The question is about all the others, who take medication and are not impaired by it. I can’t drive after taking sudafed or benadryl! They simply make me too groggy. I don’t advocate people driving impaired.

The point is that there are a whole lot of people who do take medications that impair them. But, how can it possibly be distinguisted who is or is not impaired?

I know for certain that the methadone guy had no business being on the road. But, he is! His job even allows it and my research suggests that he could drive, kill someone and get off free and clear! That medication has been around since the 1960’s and how often has anyone heard of a methadone patient being charged? Surely, people like him have killed someone, somewhere in the part 4 decades?!

Best answer:

Answer by Fred
there needs to be enough physical & scientific evidence to prove that a specific medication impairs the driver’s abilities. you might get a DUI, but it can be dropped in court with sufficient evidence supporting the driver’s innocence.

btw, someone on a high dose of methadone isn’t “drunk”, he’s high off his balls on opiates.

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