Woman Stopped for DUI with Xanax

A Floyd County, Georgia woman is accused of driving under the influence of drugs after police discovered her with a plastic bag containing several Xanax pills.

Ashley Rebecca Dupree, age 35 was arrested just before 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, outside of a Walmart Supercenter on Cartersville Highway.

Police allege that she was high, and it was unsafe for her to operate a motor vehicle. Following her DUI arrest, the police searched her car. The search turned up a plastic bag; inside were several Xanax pills.

She is now charged with:

• felony possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance;
• misdemeanor DUI drugs; and
• failure to keep drugs in the original container.

If you or someone you care about has been arrested for DUI drugs, an experienced Cobb County DUI attorney can defend your case and protect your constitutional rights. You do not have to face this process alone.

What is Xanax?

Xanax is the brand name for the drug alprazolam. It is a part of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Xanax is used to treat both panic disorders and anxiety and is one of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications in the United States.

How Does it Work?

The drug works by decreasing abnormal excitement and stimulation in the brain. It creates a calming effect on the brain and central nervous system by slowing down the movement of brain chemicals that may have become unbalanced.

This results in a reduction in nervous tension as well as anxiety. Xanax boosts the effects of a natural chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

How Alcohol Effects Xanax

Alcohol significantly increases the effects of Xanax and the other way around. A person who is on Xanax, even legally, will have a decreased tolerance to alcohol, and will likely display a significant increase in its intoxicating effects.

Effects of Xanax on Your Ability to Drive

Certain side effects can significantly affect a person's ability to drive. These side effects include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• drowsiness,
• light-headedness,
• severe headaches,
• confusion,
• nervousness and paranoia,
• dizziness,
• impaired coordination,
• irritability,
• memory impairment,
• abnormal involuntary movement,
• muscle twitching,
• hyperventilation,
• weakness, and
• slurred speech.

Any of these side effects of the drug can have a very real effect on a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. When a person drives under the influence of Xanax, and that influence makes him or her a less safe driver, that person can be charged with a Georgia DUI.

The DUI charges can be lumped on top of drug possession charges, and other related charges that could significantly increase the potential penalties. However, there are defenses that can be raised to protect yourself.

Consult an Experienced Cobb County DUI Attorney

Xanax can have a serious effect on a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The criminal penalties associated with a DUI drug are not to be taken lightly.

To defend your rights, an experienced Cobb County DUI attorney is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.