Source: Al Gore's Son Had 140 Vicodin Pills

People ^ | July 20, 2007 | Ken Lee

[West Coast Conservative]

Al Gore's son was charged with felony drug-possession charges and lesser offenses related to his July 4 speeding stop, authorities said Friday. And a law enforcement source tells PEOPLE that Gore had 140 Vicodin pills and "dozens" of other prescription drugs.

If convicted on all charges, Albert Gore III faces up to three years and eight months in prison. But state law makes him eligible for a drug diversion program instead of incarceration, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

His arraignment is set for Aug. 1 in Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Gore, 24, was pulled over south of Los Angeles in a blue Toyota Prius around 2:15 a.m. July 4 for allegedly driving more than 100 mph.

Police previously said officers, who had searched the car because they detected the smell of marijuana, found prescription drugs including Xanax, Valium, Soma, Vicodin and Adderall, as well as a small amount of marijuana. No prescriptions were present, police said.

The amount of medication wasn't revealed at the time, but the source tells PEOPLE that Gore was carrying 140 pills of Vicodin alone, along with "dozens" of the other medications.

Gore was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail's Intake and Release Center in Santa Ana, where his older sister Sarah bailed him out with $20,000 cash. His father later said that he was "getting treatment."

In all, he was charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of marijuana, and a speeding infraction, the DA says.

The former vice president's son has a history of encounters with the law.

In August 2000, he was ticketed for going 97 mph in a 55-mph zone in North Carolina, and had his driving privileges suspended.

Two years later, he was cited for DUI in Virginia. He eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year's probation.

And in December 2003, Gore was arrested for marijuana possession in Maryland after he was pulled over for driving with his headlights off. He was sentenced to drug counseling in that case.

A Gore family spokeswoman had no comment.

[I see my hands]

He has the Gore name but he behaves like the forbidden spawn of Tipper and Teddy.

Yuck! That's reminiscent of Lillian and James.

[The Worthless Miracle]

I hope they follow their bleeding-heart roots, and demand he be treated the same as any low-income black guy would get. I mean, they wouldn’t want different treatment than the great unwashed, right? lol

[ejonesie22]

Damn, you beat me...

[microgood]

my question is how the blue blazes he laid his hands on that many of them? My doc rations me to 30 every 2 weeks...

Must be the drug dealers to the stars. I do wonder how drug dealers get their hands on so many prescription drugs. They must launder them through sales to other countries because I don't think they could rob that many pharmacies.

[KoRn]

"That is quite a large quantity of pills."

For someone who is used to taking them, 140 Vidocin may be enough to last a week or two. I had to take them for a couple of years, and you your body develops a tolerance to them FAST.

[windsorknot]

Aside from the addictive potential of Vicodin, the drug contains Acetaminophen (Tylenol) which can cause kidney damage in doses exceeding 4 grams/day.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Yeah - some enterprising reporter should look for the OCC document showing her withdrawing that much cash.

[edcoil]

“140 Vicodin pills”

One trip to the dentist in California.

[mefistofelerevised]

I got very aggressive. Like too much adrenalin. I had been overdosing myself because the pain was so severe. Like 15 high milligram pills a day. I wanted it to knock me out. But I had become addicted in a short time. I doubt if reasonable use is real dangerous, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to investigate on the internet. I had more than one dentist who urged precaution with it and were reluctant to prescribe very much.

[aft_lizard]

In many cases when people have a large amount of drugs they automatically charge them with that regardless if that is there intent, simple posession of a large amount is enough. Pehaps having what he had isn’t enough.

[sofaman]

My doctor has been very careful with the dosages...I restrict myself too...I take one maybe two at night, which is when the pain is at it's worst...

But your point is well taken. I'm sure the chances of addiction grow exponentially as the dosage increases.

Thanks for the info..

[rlmorel]

I agree. I have no love for the Gore family, but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. He may be a preppy jerk like some say, but like you said, growing up with the last name of Gore has to present some challenges.

[NonValueAdded]

If he is a drug dealer maybe they should also confiscate his prius.

Maybe they should cut off his prius ... oh wait, that's a car. Nevermind. /Latella

[Brad from Tennessee]

“. . . his older sister Sarah bailed him out with $20,000 cash.”

Showing up at the jail with a sack of cash is a criminal m.o. In California a property bond can be posted.

[microgood]

In many cases when people have a large amount of drugs they automatically charge them with that regardless if that is there intent, simple posession of a large amount is enough. Pehaps having what he had isn’t enough.

I am not sure how many other drugs he had but that many Vicodin probably would not get him a conviction for dealing, since you build up a resistance to them fast. Plus most drug dealers drive 55 with their seat belts on and don't smoke pot while driving, so he fits the profile of a standard dysfunctional Hollywood celebrity more than a drug dealer.

But you are right if he had a couple thousand of them he probably would at least been threatened with a dealing charge to get him to plea bargain.

[353FMG]

Looks like his old man.

[Jack Hammer]

“...Xanax, Valium, Soma, Vicodin and Adderall...”

Don’t wish to sound naive, but... what are these things? Anyone?

[gonzo]

"...Wasn't Vicodan the drug that the doctor on "House" was on?..."

Roger that, Capt. - Long time, bud ...

IIRC, al-III is just following in his Uncles footsteps. Stay well .............. FRegards

[MileHi]

Here in Kentucky law enforcement usually searches for a school within 1000 yards for an extra felony charge.

Bet they do that for for gun charges too. Sorry, I think that is horsecrap, but cheer if you like. Let this kids charges stand on their own merits.

[Brad from Tennessee]

It also damages the liver. Where I live Vicodin or some other hydrocodon product is what budding addicts begin using. They develop enlarged livers and switch to morphine or Diladid usually intravenously in the belief it is safer.