A New Hampshire DUI law now includes OTC medications.
New Hampshire has expanded its Driving under the Influence, or DUI law, to include drivers that are impaired by over the counter medication and prescription medication
Previously, the law could only prosecute drivers who were using controlled drugs, but now under the new law that went into effect on January 1st, 2013, even drivers impaired by over the counter medicine, such as antihistamines, can be arrested.
State Police Sergeant Matthew Shapiro said: “The cases that we’re dealing with are people who are clearly impaired, they’re under the influence, they have diminished mental capacity and physical capacity as a result of taking drugs that are impairing them.”
Another reason for the implementation of the law is the rise in prescription drug abuse, and new drugs coming on the market that may not be listed as controlled substances yet.
Other states like Vermont and Maine have similar laws that include prescription medication under DUI charges.
Some opponents of the new law say that it is too broad, and may lead to unnecessary arrests.
What do you think? Should DUI laws include the use of prescription and over the counter medicine?
