There are many serious crimes that are punishable under Louisiana law, and many drug offenses rank among the most severe. Being convicted of possession of certain controlled substances, particularly dangerous ones like cocaine, can see you put away for years. Many people feel that they do not need to worry about drug charges because they do not possess and have never possessed any kind of illegal drug.
What you may not know is that you do not actually have to be found in possession of a controlled substance in order to be convicted of a crime. You could also be arrested and convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia, which refers to items that are used in conjunction with drugs in some capacity. Of course, this opens up a very broad definition of drug paraphernalia, since many things can be used with drugs. Even a simple metal spoon can be used to heat up a drug for injection, and a kitchen scale can be used to measure drugs before distribution.
Obviously, there are more specific drug paraphernalia items, such as pipes, needles and bongs, but in the right context, almost any item could be used with drugs in some way or another. If the police are able to prove that you were using the item in connection with a drug, then you could be convicted of a crime simply for owning a credit card.
As alarming as it may sound, you are never too far away from police suspicion when it comes to drug charges. That is why Louisiana residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with state laws and be prepared to enlist the aid of an attorney if ever they find themselves facing drug charges.