What would you think of someone if you found out that they were on methadone?

Question

When my sister was a teen she was in a horrific accident and enduring some serious back injuruies. Her doctor perscribed her oxy contin and she had been on them for years, she recently decided that enough was enough and enrolled in a methodone clinic. She was pulled over the other day for speeding and ended up in jail because the police officers found her medication. She said that they treated her like pure scum and called her a heroin addict in front of her children. If you found out htat someone you know was on methadone what would you think? Do you think the police officer was justified?

Answer 1

If her medication was in a marked bottle with her name on it then the police acted inappropriately. If I found out someone was on methadone I would think they were very courageous to quit whatever addiction it was they had and hope that they are strong enough to get through it. Good for your sister!

Answer 2

No the cop was wrong, as they are a lot they are only people. I had an experience with one while on vacation. He came close to causing a pile up on the interstate because he was so wound up and wrong! But, people do jump to conclusions. Did she not have a
RX bottle for it and if so, were there any witnesses to the name calling? It's a bad situation. they deal with scum all day and I guess the stress and the fight or flight response is activated in them all the time and causes them to react that way. I don't know. In the end after my incident I prayed he didn't run into a dope dealer with a gun and treat him the way he did me, because he'd be dead. Good luck to your sister. I had major surgery and am on morphine pills daily. Still I have pain....I don't know when I'll be able to not take anything , if ever. So, I try not to judge anyone, especially if they aren't hurting anyone and if they are trying to help themselves better themselves.

Answer 3

No. I do not think the police officers were justified in this case and were down-right insensitive! If the police officers thought that they were setting an example for the children by their actions, they are clearly mistaken! I am sure that they could have handled it much better than they did, but maybe they are of limited intelligence, know what I mean?

Anyways, I hope that you sister is alright despite her mishandling by the police. Would be a great thing if she could sue for "personal trauma". See how they'd like that!

Answer 4

The police were very ignorant and unprofessional to automatically assume that she was a heroin addict.

Unfortunately, from their point of view, when they see so much of the horrors in society - violent crimes, abused children, drug addiction, etc - it is hard for them not to become jaded and judgemental over time.

As long as her medication was properly contained within a labeled prescription container - there should have been no reason to haul her in on suspicion of illicit drug use. Her explanation should have sufficed. Her identification would show that the medication was rightfully hers.

Was this justified? No.

Does she have any recourse? Again, No. Sorry......

Answer 5

This is a toughy. She was trying to get help, that officer sounds like a real bastard. But I see these cases a lot. You're not supposed to drive while taking methadone. Was she on it at the time of speeding?

Answer 6

It goes to show that part of the problem with drug addicts is that they are still treated like dirt, even when they can be seen to be trying to get out of their addiction.
And no, I don't think the actions of the police were justified, even had she been a "real" junkie.

Answer 7

Hell No!!!!!!! People who need Methodone are trying to get off something else and should be given a break!!!(unless there wasted behind the wheel thats not cool!!!)

Answer 8

If she had a precsription for it, does the bottle have a label that says not to drive? Cops are mostly jerks anyway. I have never been treated politely by a cop.