Law Student’s First Case: She’s Charged with Crystal Meth Conspiracy
Though Jennifer Marie Patterson recently graduated from law school at the University of Richmond, her first day in court was not spent sitting at the prosecution’s table but at the defendant’s table – as the defendant.
Patterson pled guilty to charges of conspiracy in a crystal methamphetamine distribution ring that circulated more than 500 grams of the drug, according to multiple new sources. Her alleged offenses are nonviolent in nature so she may be eligible for a lenient sentence, but the worst case scenario sentence is life in prison.
Why did Patterson, a functional law student, break the law and take part in a drug distribution ring? She says that she had a crystal meth addiction of her own to support and that selling the drugs was the only way to continue to get the amount of the drug she needed. Confusingly, her lawyer says that Patterson relapsed only one time while she was in law school (when was she selling the drugs then, and why if not to maintain an addiction to help her through law school?) and that she never sold to other students in the law school.
Currently, Patterson is enrolled in the Lawyers Helping Lawyers drug addiction program and still has plans to take the Virginia bar exam. What does the judge think of that move? She wishes Patterson luck.
Crystal Meth Addiction and College Students
Though Patterson says she didn’t abuse crystal meth during her career as a law student, it is not uncommon to find that the most seemingly functional, high performing students are only doing so well because of a serious meth addiction. The drug provides a high level of energy and allows the patient to stay awake for days on end if they continue taking the drug, allowing them to study, attend class, complete projects, et cetera. Unfortunately, a high performance binge is often followed by a few days of zero performance. Many patients report devastating depression and an inability to even get out of bed.
Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment
Crystal meth addiction treatment and long-term follow-up care is the only way to effectively address the issue of addiction. Inpatient rehab is recommended for chronic addiction over months or years, but outpatient addiction treatment can be effective in the case of a relapse or a brief period of relapse after inpatient care. Contact us at The Orchid today to learn more about our program and how we help women fight crystal meth addiction and learn how to live on their own without the crutch of drugs.