If you visit the doctor for medical help, chances are you are counting on them to examine you thoroughly, give you an honest diagnosis, and prescribe the medication you need to feel better. But what if your doctor or nurse was stealing drugs from you? What if they were writing false prescriptions under your name in order to fuel their own drug habits? What if they were siphoning off morphine from your dying mother’s IV drip? Most people are shocked to learn of their own doctors being prosecuted for such unethical practices, but investigators say that it happens more frequently than you’d think.
Taking drugs from patients and using them for purposes other than intended is called diversion. These days, more and more medical professionals are turning to drug abuse, taking advantage of their positions to get drugs for themselves or selling them and using the profits to buy heroin (a cheaper alternative). In fact, the American Nurses Association estimates that ten percent of nurses may be dependent on drugs.
An Easy Way to Drown the Sorrows of the Job
There are a number of reasons that medical professionals claim to have turned to drug abuse: stresses on the job, and easy access. Anesthesiologists have the highest rate of dependency due to the potency of the drugs they are dealing with. Next in line is ICU [intensive care unit] and emergency room nurses.
Not only are they tempted by what’s all around them, they are continually dealing with sick and dying people that they can’t always help. When they’re feeling vulnerable, the substances in front of them may seem more appealing than ever.
Is Prosecution Too Lenient
Medical boards and officials are being urged to take more stringent action against diverting medical professionals. Prosecution is not always standard, with some nurses getting off easier than others.
Take the case of Dr. Anne Johnston in Vermont. Guilty of writing and filling prescriptions for nonexistent patients in order to fuel her own drug habit, Dr. Johnson was disciplined by the Vermont Board of Medical Practice last January. However, no legal prosecution was done and she has been allowed to continue practicing medicine under a “conditioned” license, which bars her from prescribing controlled substances. This is not her first offense; in 1998 she was disciplined for a similar charge, but still allowed to continue practicing. Dr. Johnson works with babies born addicted to opioids.
Other nurses are compelled to leave practice after one occurrence; some do not have their licenses revoked until after three or four incidents.
Deadly Diversion
The dangers of this situation are clear. Medical professionals operating under the influence of opioids are not thinking clearly, are uncoordinated, and they make mistakes. People should not feel like they are putting themselves at risk by seeking medical attention. Patient safety should be of the highest priority.
If you suspect substance abuse in your medical provider, do not hesitate to take action and report your observations. You have full right to seek medical help elsewhere.
Find a place that you feel comfortable with and be sure to take the necessary steps if you know someone in the medical community who is abusing drugs.
For more information on this topic go to www.narconon.org now.
Source: http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/medical-professionals-who-abuse-drugs-not-rare/nTXH5/
