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A South African woman faces up to 15 years imprisonment at a correctional facility in Georgia, US, after she was arrested for travelling without her prescription for the medication she takes.

Genevieve Uys runs Travelling Donors, a company that assists in fertility processes around the world, and was arrested last year in October whilst travelling to the Batumi Fertility Clinic on business.

The 32-year-old was found in possession of 0,341 grams of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 0,13 grams of Oxycodone, 0,16 grams of Methylphenidate, and 0,825 grams of Pregabalin.

According to her mother, Sandar Uys, Genevieve suffers from a number of ailments that require these drugs, including Cervical Osteophytes and Cervical Spondylosis, a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) plus Keratoconus, a congenital, degenerative eye disease, which renders her legally blind without her glasses or lenses.

Genevieve’s initial prison sentence of 15 years has been reduced to one year so long as she (or her family) pay a $25 000 (R465 000) fine, per IOL.

The fine was initially due on March 10 but now the date has been extended to March 17, forcing the family to work against the clock to come up with the funds.

Although MDMA is mostly used as a recreational drug and is illegal in South Africa, there are psychiatrists in other parts of the world who prescribe the drug to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Oxycodone is an opioid-based pain killer, while Methylphenidate is used to treat ADHD, and Pregabalin is used to treat pain caused by fibromyalgia, nerve pain or spinal cord injury, notes The South African:

When asked about her daughter’s use of the drugs, the 60-year-old said, “She has perforated discs in her L4 and L5 discs on her spine. They are used to manage the nerve pain.”  Genevieve also has a history of ADHD.

Image: Supplied/LinkedIn

The South African saw medical messages that said Genevieve was diagnosed with Cervical Osteophytes and Cervical Spondylosis.

As for the MDMA, Genevieve’s legal team is disputing that possession charge:

 The mother and daughter believe the drugs were planted to increase the chances of conviction and payment of a fine. “Gen would never sacrifice her 12-year-old international business. Never!” said Sandra.

“It took her 12 hard years of slogging to get the international recognition that she has. She has worked in New York, Australia, Malaysia, Mexico, Ukraine etc. She has helped clients all over the world to be gifted with a baby. These couples that were unable to have children are always eternally grateful for what she has done for them.”

Georgia is known to have some of the harshest drug laws and aggressive enforcement, often causing severe psychological and financial harm to those caught up in the legal system.

If only Genevieve had done a little more homework, then she would have had her prescription on hand and would not be in this situation.

[sources:southafrican&iol]