Heroin Laws in Arizona

Federally, heroin is classified as a schedule 1 drug along with ecstasy, L.S.D., and marijuana.

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency states that “schedule 1 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

In Arizona, heroin possession laws are just as serious. Many variables are taken into account regarding sentencing a person for heroin possession.

Because possession of heroin in Arizona is a felony, the sentence can be about 2.5 years under A.R.S. section 13-702. Repeated offenses can result in 3.75 years or more.

If you are facing a first-offense heroin charge in Arizona, there are more options. The first option should be to seek the help of a reputable attorney if you can afford it.

The second most important step you can take if you find yourself in this situation (regardless of if it’s your first time) is seeking drug and alcohol rehab.

While we can’t offer legal advice and advise you to seek a lawyer for a consultation, we can share your options for rehab with you.

The Impact of Treatment on Jail and Prison Sentences

Seeking rehab after being charged for heroin or opioid possession is generally the best decision you can make.

Depending on your judge and on the charge presented before him or her, going to treatment may mean the difference between a long prison sentence and probation.

Judges, officers, probation officers, and other officials who handle these criminal charges are not without compassion.

Arizona is in the midst of a crisis-level wave of heroin addiction problems. Not to mention the number of highly-deadly synthetic opioids that are being pushed on the street, disguised as heroin or other drugs.

As heroin abuse has grown over the last decade, many people have found themselves in the unfortunate position of heroin addiction, leading them to criminal charges.

Does Rehab Work for Heroin Addiction?

Treatment that addresses both mental issues and physical reactions of withdrawal is what an individual needs most. The use of heroin is often rooted in other psychological or psychiatric issues that have gone either undiagnosed or untreated. There can be an intense amount of shame and stigma associated with being labeled a “junkie” or a “heroin addict.” All of this should be addressed in treatment, along with withdrawal symptoms.

Heroin and other opioids are notorious for being difficult to quit and for causing extreme withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings can be combated with medications such as Methadone or Buprenorphine, which affect opioid receptors in the same way as heroin but are much safer.

Withdrawal symptoms for heroin alone often begin to subside after 7-14 days, depending on how much is used. After the withdrawal period, continued participation in some therapy programs, and in some cases, outpatient medication services are the key to sobriety for most recovering heroin users.

Heroin abuse is part of the gripping disease of addiction, and it affects all aspects of life, from your health to your children to your romantic relationships and even your pets. Like most chronic disorders, it can be treated and managed with specialized care.

The Arizona Opioid Emergency Response shows a current “increased focus on prevention, recognition, and treatment of opioid use disorder in patients receiving long-term opioid therapy,” which resulted from its implementation of various heroin addiction programs.

Rehabilitation treatment can be a major lifeline for people who are struggling with heroin addiction. It’s the best step especially for anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they face jail or prison time for possession.

Understanding How Heroin is Impacting Arizona

Every day, more than two people die from opioid overdose in Arizona. Heroin is widely considered one of the most deadly drugs in America. Drug use that leads to heroin addiction causes costly and tragic consequences that echo across families and the communities they reside in.

After a nearly 75% increase in opioid-related deaths since 2012, Governor Doug Ducey declared a public emergency in June 2017. Recently enacted heroin laws have created harsher punishments for heroin possession in Arizona, increasing maximum prison sentencing for repeat offenders from 7 years up to 20.

Though Governor Ducey’s emergency order was officially ended in May of 2018, the fight against opioid addiction continues for Arizona families. If you or anyone you love is struggling with heroin addiction, we can help you find comprehensive addiction treatment.