Can My Probation Officer Insist I Get Off Prescribed Medication or Violate Me
My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
I am on felony probation in Southern California. After getting released from custody I gave my probation officer a dirty urine test. I soon after saw a doctor and was given a prescription for Suboxone, which helps with the withdrawals and cravings of opiates. The doctor explained that I would be on the medication indefinitely, depending on how I was feeling. Not more than 1 week after getting on the prescription I was told that I needed to go to an outpatient rehab. Since no county funded rehab (inpatient or out) will admit a person who is on Suboxone, my probation officer gave me the choice of getting off the drug or violating me. The violation would be 'failure to go into a program'. I've been to 11+ different rehabs over the past 25 years and they don't seem to work for me. Suboxone is the only thing that keeps me clean and I've told him that. Can he give me a choice like that? Get off the prescription or go to jail? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME --- Patrick
Re: Can My Probation Officer Insist I Get Off Dr. Prescribed Medication or Violate Me
He's not violating for the Suboxone/ He violating for failure to enroll in court ordered treatment. The reason why you haven't done so is due to your choice to stay on the drug. He is well within his ability to violate. You won't get Suboxone in jail either. So, you got a decision to make.
Re: Can My Probation Officer Insist I Get Off Prescribed Medication or Violate Me
Quote:
Quoting
PatrickAaron
Since no county funded rehab (inpatient or out) will admit a person who is on Suboxone, my probation officer gave me the choice of getting off the drug or violating me.
Then your choices appear to be (a) private pay or (b) going into a rehab that detoxes you off of everything.
Quote:
Quoting PatrickAaron
I've been to 11+ different rehabs over the past 25 years and they don't seem to work for me.
That's because it's you, not the program, that has to do the work. No program will work until you're ready to get sober.
Quote:
Quoting PatrickAaron
Suboxone is the only thing that keeps me clean and I've told him that.
Go inpatient so you have the structure you need to avoid using, and have them coordinate with your addictionologist for follow-up care.