Depending on the country, getting caught abusing drugs around the world can lead to some very serious penalties and punishments. It is not uncommon for drug offenders unlucky enough to get caught in certain countries of the Middle East or Far East to find themselves receiving life sentences or even the death penalty as a result of their crime. Here in the United States, the punishment is not quite that severe, but there are still some very serious consequences in store for those who break the law.
What are the Penalties for Drug Abuse and Possession?
If an individual is caught with possession of illegal drugs, they face potential fines and jail time. The length of jail time differs according to the state in which the offense occurs and the previous criminal record of the individual. Most states now have a mandatory minimum sentence for these that cannot be plea bargained away. The average amount of jail time awarded in a drug possession case in the United States is between 30 and 40 months.
The Penalties for Selling Drugs
Selling drugs carry much harsher penalties than for simple drug possession, with strict minimum sentences in all 50 states of the country. An individual who has repeatedly been caught selling drugs can face 3, 6 or 9 years in prison depending upon the situation. And those who are found guilty of selling drugs to a minor face an even bleaker future – with sentences of 10 years or more not uncommon at the state law level.
Smuggling Drugs into the United States
Like selling drugs, smuggling illegal narcotics into the United States is a serious offense – and is considered a Federal crime with long mandatory sentences. Often, individuals who are caught smuggling drugs are not ruthless crime kingpins, but rather average men and women who need money desperately and are willing to risk anything to stay afloat financially. The American prison system is filled with non-violent individuals serving 20 year terms because they trusted the wrong people – or felt that bringing drugs into the country was “too easy” to pass up.
Drug Penalties Around the World
In some countries, drug offenses are punishable by death or lifetime prison sentences. These countries do not believe in the rehabilitation of the individual, and instead hope that making an example out of the criminal will act as a strong deterrent to others who are thinking about committing a similar crime.
