{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-252.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-252.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-252.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-252.html"}],"law_id":65343,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65343,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-252","catch_line":"Suspended sentence conditioned upon substance abuse screening, assessment, testing, and treatment or education","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-524.101:4; 1973, c. 473; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1979, c. 435; 1998, cc. 783, 840; 2000, cc. 1020, 1041; 2007, c. 133; 2009, cc. 813, 840; 2020, cc. 1285, 1286.","full_text":"The trial judge or court trying the case of any person found guilty of a criminal violation of any law concerning the use, in any manner, of drugs, controlled substances, narcotics, marijuana, noxious chemical substances and like substances shall condition any suspended sentence by first requiring such person to agree to undergo a substance abuse screening pursuant to \u00a7 18.2-251.01 and to submit to such periodic substance abuse testing, to include alcohol testing, as may be directed by the court. Such testing shall be conducted by the supervising probation agency or by personnel of any program or agency approved by the supervising probation agency. The cost of such testing ordered by the court shall be paid by the Commonwealth and taxed as a part of the costs of such proceedings. The judge or court shall order the person, as a condition of any suspended sentence, to undergo such treatment or education for substance abuse, if available, as the judge or court deems appropriate based upon consideration of the substance abuse assessment. The treatment or education shall be provided by a program or agency licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, by a similar program or services available through the Department of Corrections if the court imposes a sentence of one year or more or, if the court imposes a sentence of 12 months or less, by a similar program or services available through a local or regional jail, a local community-based probation services agency established pursuant to \u00a7 9.1-174, or an ASAP program certified by the Commission on VASAP.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":237602,"text":"The trial judge or court trying the case of any person found guilty of a criminal violation of any law concerning the use, in any manner, of drugs, controlled substances, narcotics, marijuana, noxious chemical substances and like substances shall condition any suspended sentence by first requiring such person to agree to undergo a substance abuse screening pursuant to \u00a7 18.2-251.01 and to submit to such periodic substance abuse testing, to include alcohol testing, as may be directed by the court. Such testing shall be conducted by the supervising probation agency or by personnel of any program or agency approved by the supervising probation agency. The cost of such testing ordered by the court shall be paid by the Commonwealth and taxed as a part of the costs of such proceedings. The judge or court shall order the person, as a condition of any suspended sentence, to undergo such treatment or education for substance abuse, if available, as the judge or court deems appropriate based upon consideration of the substance abuse assessment. The treatment or education shall be provided by a program or agency licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, by a similar program or services available through the Department of Corrections if the court imposes a sentence of one year or more or, if the court imposes a sentence of 12 months or less, by a similar program or services available through a local or regional jail, a local community-based probation services agency established pursuant to \u00a7 9.1-174, or an ASAP program certified by the Commission on VASAP.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13207,"edition_id":1,"name":"Drugs","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12973,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:27","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:27","permalink":{"id":166503,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13207,"identifier":"1","token":"18.2\/7\/1","url":"\/18.2\/7\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12973,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Health and Safety","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":166501,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12973,"identifier":"7","token":"18.2\/7","url":"\/18.2\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84070,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-247","catch_line":"Use of terms \"controlled substances,\" \"marijuana,\" \"Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,\" \"imitation controlled substance,\" and \"counterfeit controlled substance\" in Title 18.2","url":"\/18.2-247\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-247","metadata":false},{"id":68693,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248","catch_line":"Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance prohibited; penalties","url":"\/18.2-248\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248","metadata":false},{"id":76843,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.01","catch_line":"Transporting controlled substances into the Commonwealth; penalty","url":"\/18.2-248.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.01","metadata":false},{"id":56536,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.02","catch_line":"Allowing a minor or incapacitated person to be present during manufacture or attempted manufacture of methamphetamine or fentanyl prohibited; penalties","url":"\/18.2-248.02\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.02","metadata":false},{"id":71689,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.03","catch_line":"Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute methamphetamine; penalty","url":"\/18.2-248.03\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.03","metadata":false},{"id":60978,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.04","catch_line":"Methamphetamine Cleanup Fund established","url":"\/18.2-248.04\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.04","metadata":false},{"id":80122,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.05","catch_line":"Prohibited equipment related to manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance; penalties","url":"\/18.2-248.05\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.05","metadata":false},{"id":60632,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.1","catch_line":"Penalties for sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute marijuana","url":"\/18.2-248.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.1","metadata":false},{"id":84921,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.1:1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-248.1_1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":79095,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-248.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.2","metadata":false},{"id":63135,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.3","catch_line":"Professional use of imitation controlled substances","url":"\/18.2-248.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-248.3","metadata":false},{"id":74647,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-248.4","catch_line":"Advertisement of imitation controlled substances prohibited; 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public schools","url":"\/18.2-251.1_1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":56326,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.1:2","catch_line":"Possession or distribution of cannabis oil; nursing homes and certified nursing facilities; hospice and hospice facilities; assisted living facilities","url":"\/18.2-251.1_2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":57833,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.1:3","catch_line":"Possession or distribution of cannabis oil, or industrial hemp; laboratories; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Law employees","url":"\/18.2-251.1_3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.1_3","metadata":false},{"id":60795,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.2","catch_line":"Possession and distribution of flunitrazepam; enhanced penalty","url":"\/18.2-251.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.2","metadata":false},{"id":81533,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.3","catch_line":"Possession and distribution of gamma-butyrolactone; 1, 4-butanediol; enhanced penalty","url":"\/18.2-251.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.3","metadata":false},{"id":57979,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.4","catch_line":"Defeating drug and alcohol screening tests; penalty","url":"\/18.2-251.4\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.4","metadata":false},{"id":66570,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.5","catch_line":"Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing xylazine; penalties","url":"\/18.2-251.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.5","metadata":false},{"id":65343,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-252","catch_line":"Suspended sentence conditioned upon substance abuse screening, assessment, testing, and treatment or education","url":"\/18.2-252\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-252","metadata":false},{"id":79890,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-253","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-253\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-253","metadata":false},{"id":79884,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-254","catch_line":"Commitment of convicted person for treatment for substance abuse","url":"\/18.2-254\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-254","metadata":false},{"id":56553,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-254.1","catch_line":"Recovery Court Act","url":"\/18.2-254.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-254.1","metadata":false},{"id":71021,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-254.2","catch_line":"Specialty dockets; report","url":"\/18.2-254.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-254.2","metadata":false},{"id":69159,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-254.3","catch_line":"Behavioral Health Docket Act","url":"\/18.2-254.3\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-254.3","metadata":false},{"id":55615,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-255","catch_line":"Distribution of certain drugs to persons under 18 prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-255\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-255","metadata":false},{"id":71098,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-255.1","catch_line":"Distribution, sale or display of printed material advertising instruments for use in administering marijuana or controlled substances to minors; penalty","url":"\/18.2-255.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-255.1","metadata":false},{"id":79362,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-255.2","catch_line":"Prohibiting the sale or manufacture of drugs on or near certain properties; penalty","url":"\/18.2-255.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-255.2","metadata":false},{"id":78614,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-256","catch_line":"Conspiracy","url":"\/18.2-256\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-256","metadata":false},{"id":74533,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-257","catch_line":"Attempts","url":"\/18.2-257\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-257","metadata":false},{"id":57190,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-258","catch_line":"Certain premises deemed common nuisance; penalty","url":"\/18.2-258\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-258","metadata":false},{"id":60458,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-258.01","catch_line":"Enjoining nuisances involving illegal drug transactions","url":"\/18.2-258.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-258.01","metadata":false},{"id":54216,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-258.02","catch_line":"Maintaining a fortified drug house; penalty","url":"\/18.2-258.02\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-258.02","metadata":false},{"id":61427,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-258.1","catch_line":"Obtaining drugs, procuring administration of controlled substances, etc., by fraud, deceit or forgery","url":"\/18.2-258.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-258.1","metadata":false},{"id":70798,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-258.2","catch_line":"Assisting individuals in unlawfully procuring prescription drugs; penalty","url":"\/18.2-258.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-258.2","metadata":false},{"id":83004,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-259","catch_line":"Penalties to be in addition to civil or administrative sanctions","url":"\/18.2-259\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-259","metadata":false},{"id":72470,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-259.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-259.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-259.1","metadata":false},{"id":71259,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-260","catch_line":"Prescribing, dispensing, etc., drug except as authorized in article and Drug Control Act; violations for which no penalty provided","url":"\/18.2-260\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-260","metadata":false},{"id":72374,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-260.1","catch_line":"Falsifying patient records","url":"\/18.2-260.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-260.1","metadata":false},{"id":66248,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-261","catch_line":"Monetary penalty","url":"\/18.2-261\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-261","metadata":false},{"id":74458,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-262","catch_line":"Witnesses not excused from testifying or producing evidence because of self-incrimination","url":"\/18.2-262\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-262","metadata":false},{"id":57290,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-263","catch_line":"Unnecessary to negative exception, etc.; burden of proof of exception, etc","url":"\/18.2-263\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-263","metadata":false},{"id":86559,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-264","catch_line":"Inhaling drugs or other noxious chemical substances or causing, etc., others to do so; distribution of nitrous oxide to persons under 18 prohibited; penalties","url":"\/18.2-264\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-264","metadata":false},{"id":63611,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-264.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-264.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-264.01","metadata":false},{"id":70241,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-264.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-264.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-264.1","metadata":false},{"id":72892,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-265","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-265\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-265","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66570,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-251.5","catch_line":"Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing xylazine; penalties","url":"\/18.2-251.5\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-251.5","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79890,"structure_id":13207,"section_number":"18.2-253","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-253\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-253","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-252\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 473; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1979, chapter 435; in 1998, chapters 783<\/a> and 840<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 1020<\/a> and 1041<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 133<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 813<\/a> and 840<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1285<\/a> and 1286<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":82839,"section_number":"18.2-251.01","catch_line":"Substance abuse screening and assessment for felony convictions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-251.01\/"},{"id":65065,"section_number":"9.1-174","catch_line":"Establishment of a community-based probation services agency","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-174\/"}],"permalink":{"id":166625,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65343,"identifier":"18.2-252","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-252","url":"\/18.2-252\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-252\/","token":"18.2\/7\/1\/18.2-252","dublin_core":{"Title":"Suspended sentence conditioned upon substance abuse screening, assessment, testing, and treatment or education","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-252","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The trial<\/span> judge<\/span> or court<\/span> trying the case of any person found guilty of a criminal violation of any law<\/span> concerning the use, in any manner, of drugs, controlled substances, narcotics, marijuana, noxious chemical substances and like substances shall condition any suspended sentence<\/span> by first requiring such person to agree to undergo a substance abuse screening pursuant to \u00a7 18.2-251.01<\/a> and to submit to such periodic substance abuse testing, to include alcohol testing, as may be directed by the court<\/span>. Such testing shall be conducted by the supervising probation<\/span> agency or by personnel of any program or agency approved by the supervising probation<\/span> agency. The cost of such testing ordered by the court<\/span> shall be paid by the Commonwealth and taxed as a part of the costs of such proceedings. The judge<\/span> or court<\/span> shall order<\/span> the person, as a condition of any suspended sentence<\/span>, to undergo such treatment or education for substance abuse, if available, as the judge<\/span> or court<\/span> deems appropriate based upon consideration of the substance abuse assessment. The treatment or education shall be provided by a program or agency licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, by a similar program or services available through the Department of Corrections if the court<\/span> imposes a sentence of one year or more or, if the court<\/span> imposes a sentence of 12 months or less, by a similar program or services available through a local or regional jail, a local community-based probation<\/span> services agency established pursuant to \u00a7 9.1-174<\/a>, or an ASAP program certified by the Commission on VASAP.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSUSPENDED SENTENCE CONDITIONED UPON SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENING, ASSESSMENT,\nTESTING, AND TREATMENT OR EDUCATION (\u00a7 18.2-252)\n\nThe trial judge or court trying the case of any person found guilty of a\ncriminal violation of any law concerning the use, in any manner, of drugs,\ncontrolled substances, narcotics, marijuana, noxious chemical substances and\nlike substances shall condition any suspended sentence by first requiring such\nperson to agree to undergo a substance abuse screening pursuant to \u00a7\n18.2-251.01 and to submit to such periodic substance abuse testing, to include\nalcohol testing, as may be directed by the court. Such testing shall be\nconducted by the supervising probation agency or by personnel of any program or\nagency approved by the supervising probation agency. The cost of such testing\nordered by the court shall be paid by the Commonwealth and taxed as a part of\nthe costs of such proceedings. The judge or court shall order the person, as a\ncondition of any suspended sentence, to undergo such treatment or education for\nsubstance abuse, if available, as the judge or court deems appropriate based\nupon consideration of the substance abuse assessment. The treatment or education\nshall be provided by a program or agency licensed by the Department of\nBehavioral Health and Developmental Services, by a similar program or services\navailable through the Department of Corrections if the court imposes a sentence\nof one year or more or, if the court imposes a sentence of 12 months or less, by\na similar program or services available through a local or regional jail, a\nlocal community-based probation services agency established pursuant to \u00a7\n9.1-174, or an ASAP program certified by the Commission on VASAP.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-524.101:4; 1973, c. 473; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1979, c.\n435; 1998, cc. 783, 840; 2000, cc. 1020, 1041; 2007, c. 133; 2009, cc. 813, 840;\n2020, cc. 1285, 1286.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}