U.S. - Doctors Who Hate Drug Users Are Fueling the Opioid Crisis

[cj]

What part of the South if you don't mind? I'm about 40 mins East of Bham. Never really heard of everyone being arrested, but then again I suppose the situation is usually a call and people dip out. Fornutely, I've never been around to make such a decision, although there has been some "just after you left" calls...

This happened in Shelby county near highway 280. They found a rig and a spoon in the room the ODd kid was in. They said everyone in the room had access to the drugs thus everyone was guilty of constructive possession. It's absolutely happened I bailed one if them out of jail. Many states in the Northeast have laws that prevent prosecution of people who call in ODs and the OD patient.

It's stupid because it discourages getting help in a timely manner. People will now only call as an absolute last resort which is often times too late. A girl I know died because her friend was on probation and too scared to call 911

 

[Steady Scootin]

This happened in Shelby county near highway 280. They found a rig and a spoon in the room the ODd kid was in. They said everyone in the room had access to the drugs thus everyone was guilty of constructive possession. It's absolutely happened I bailed one if them out of jail. Many states in the Northeast have laws that prevent prosecution of people who call in ODs and the OD patient.

It's stupid because it discourages getting help in a timely manner. People will now only call as an absolute last resort which is often times too late. A girl I know died because her friend was on probation and too scared to call 911

That's awful, sorry to hear that. And I totally believe you about the cops here taking everyone they possibly can down. Where I live currently, the police force is awful is each of the twin cities. I my town the force is comprised mostly of early-mid 20's gung-ho, undertrained idiots that joined up to "make a difference" or in the case of some, continue being frat boy bullies now complete with a badge. It doesn't help that they also overworked. Sadly, the ridiculously low pay they receive will continue to keep many potential applicants and older officers looking to transfer from doing so. The force in the adjoining town stays busy shooting people that have gotten off I-20 witha small bag of whatever.

 

[MushroomRyder25]

Wow, cj, that's insane!
I always thought the only sane place in this country was the west coast, knew the south was backwards....definitely never realized how good I have it hear in New Hampshire. I just wish we had a bigger city that Manchester.

 

[ro4eva]

Happened to my son in our self-congratulating "progressive" west coast community as well. The poor kid wakes up in the ER with two cops standing over him. Regardless of the fact that he almost died, regardless of the fact that he was a 17 year old scared and traumatized kid, regardless of the fact that his two traumatized parents were standing there sobbing, the cops just handed him his order to appear as if they were ticketing a motorist. The doctors and even the nurses were no better. Their biggest concern seemed to be getting him out of there as fast as possible.

Reading your comment, herbavore, irritates me considerably. It reflects an unforgettable incident of mine with uncanny similarity. One would think you guys have been through enough on that particular day, but golly gee would you look at that: the last ones to take notice appear to be the pigs in uniform. And boy, are they just as indifferent as usual about stomping on you while you're down for the count. But hey, it's not like there's anything more productive that they can do with their time, right? Nevertheless, I sincerely hope that you guys are well, especially your son.

 

[S.J.B.]

They said everyone in the room had access to the drugs thus everyone was guilty of constructive possession.

That's just whacky. I would hate to be a public defender in the United States... it would be such a disheartening job. Conviction rates comparable to the most authoritarian regimes of the world and prosecutors that can charge practically whatever they like and have it stick.

 

[cj]

That's just whacky. I would hate to be a public defender in the United States... it would be such a disheartening job. Conviction rates comparable to the most authoritarian regimes of the world and prosecutors that can charge practically whatever they like and have it stick.

Yeah our "justice" system is backwards as hell. In my state low level drug crime has become a revenue generator for cities. They tack on fines, probation costs, court costs ect to help fund the court system. It's fucked up

 

[Steady Scootin]

Yeah our "justice" system is backwards as hell. In my state low level drug crime has become a revenue generator for cities. They tack on fines, probation costs, court costs ect to help fund the court system. It's fucked up

No doubt about that, regarding using trumped up drug offenses as an opportunity to squeeze every possible penny out of someone. Draconian, pathetic tactics like that wouldn't be necessary for these towns to generate funds if they'd take a big step forward into the 21st century and get rid of or alter the myriad laws that stifle all kids of business opportunities, industry, what have you. But bah, as long as Baby Jesus has his baba, everything's peachy!

 

[Squeaky]

Too many cops are more excited about getting an arrest than enforcing the law. I have known people who got DUI's for being 'in or about the vehicle', even though they hadn't driven the car all day and weren't planning to drive at all. The cops say since they were near the car with the keys, they were going to drive drunk and they got arrested.
A decent attorney could get that one dismissed, but the prosecutor bullies people into accepting a plea so they can get their widgets and people accept the plea to get out of jail.
People like us and the doctors who write our prescriptions are in the same boat with the DEA. The new war on opiates just means the good Dr's are more scared than ever about getting in trouble. Same with pharmacists.
My pain Dr doesn't even know my name. He doesn't give a crap about me. But he knows how to check all the right boxes and cover his ass if ever the DEA comes asking ?'s. Same with my pharmacy. So I get my pills every month.
I feel for anybody in a small town. Damn dr's are afraid to write a script for Norco even after a major surgery.

 

[ro4eva]

Too many cops are more excited about getting an arrest than enforcing the law. I have known people who got DUI's for being 'in or about the vehicle', even though they hadn't driven the car all day and weren't planning to drive at all. The cops say since they were near the car with the keys, they were going to drive drunk and they got arrested.
A decent attorney could get that one dismissed, but the prosecutor bullies people into accepting a plea so they can get their widgets and people accept the plea to get out of jail.
People like us and the doctors who write our prescriptions are in the same boat with the DEA. The new war on opiates just means the good Dr's are more scared than ever about getting in trouble. Same with pharmacists.
My pain Dr doesn't even know my name. He doesn't give a crap about me. But he knows how to check all the right boxes and cover his ass if ever the DEA comes asking ?'s. Same with my pharmacy. So I get my pills every month.
I feel for anybody in a small town. Damn dr's are afraid to write a script for Norco even after a major surgery.

Tragic and cruel what can happen when capitalism is allowed to devour itself apropos the repeal of appropriate checks and balances in the name of 'free market' and 'private ownership.'

 

[cduggles]

I took so much garbage from doctors for taking oxycodone that I was prescribed for a particularly painful type of cancer.

Then after highly invasive surgery to cut it out, when I stopped taking oxy, I had to see an addiction specialist (apparently that's a dr. who took an online course to prescribe buprenorphine, which I didn't take) to monitor me not taking oxy. Not useful!

One doctor wanted to amputate my now fully rehabbed limb.

Some doctors are ignorant, some are sadists. Some are both. It's disgusting.

 

[Squeaky]

You have to be your own advocate. Go into your Dr appointment with a polite and positive attitude, but ask directly for the drugs you know will work. If you are at the mercy of going to whatever Dr your insurance will take, then consider paying cash for a good pain mgmt dr out-of-pocket. You’ll probably save $$ in the long run in missed wages and attempts at over the counter remedies that don’t work. And don’t forget the illegal purchases- it all adds up really fast.
My pain Dr has saved my ass writing scripts. I would be lost without him. I can’t imagine how some of you are making it through life suffering and arguing for every single pill. That’s fucking awful.

 

[Squeaky]

This is a great thread. I?m only posting this to keep it alive.

 

[herbavore]

This opiate epidemic is a direct cause of society today and the way love has been lost for one another.
People are longing to fill that spiritual gaping hole in their being that society has stolen away!
"Tough Love" and shame etc. is the worst thing you could do to someone with this kind of a problem!

Love One Another!

I could not agree with you more, Larimar. The opiate crisis is part and parcel with many other "epidemics" in this country. An epidemic of doctors more interested in money than healing. An epidemic of loneliness and disconnection from a larger accepting community. An epidemic of gross materialism and consumerism. An epidemic of narcissism. An epidemic of ignorance. An epidemic of fear. An epidemic of sensationalism. I could be here all day working on this damn list......

 

[Painful One]

I could not agree with you more, Larimar. The opiate crisis is part and parcel with many other "epidemics" in this country. An epidemic of doctors more interested in money than healing. An epidemic of loneliness and disconnection from a larger accepting community. An epidemic of gross materialism and consumerism. An epidemic of narcissism. An epidemic of ignorance. An epidemic of fear. An epidemic of sensationalism. I could be here all day working on this damn list......

Hehe- this was me- painful one- who you quoted not Larimar. No problem Herbavore!
You are the best!

Glad to see you feel the same and added many thoughts that I was having trouble putting into words!
Agreed 100% !!

 

[herbavore]

Hehe- this was me- painful one- who you quoted not Larimar. No problem Herbavore!
You are the best!

Glad to see you feel the same and added many thoughts that I was having trouble putting into words!
Agreed 100% !!

Oh, brother! I can't believe I did that--must've seen your avatar and the beautiful turquoise hues made me think of Larimar which is one of my favorite turquoise stones. This is how old brains work unfortunately. Actually, one of my favorite experiences in my teaching career was the number of kids that would come up to me and without thinking say, "Mom, could I......" and then something would click and they would say, "I mean Ms M.!"

 

[Stargazer]

My house burned down. There were some empty bags and rigs in the bedroom (they were the only things that didn't burn) The fire chief called the police back to the scene after he noticed them.

My husband and I were handcuffed watching our house burn down. We were in jail by that evening.

We had no prior drug charges. So I spent a total of 7.5 months in jail, 31 days of court-ordered rehab upon release from jail, addict-supervision probation. Which means they come to your house anytime they want and very frequently. Do a urine test. AND I had to go to the probation office up to 4 times a week for urine tests.

I had to call every morning between 4-6 a.m. to see if I had to come into probation that day.

While I was in jail for about 5mos - the law changed. You can no longer be arrested for calling/during emergency situations. I'm from Pennsylvania. Near Philadelphia. So I wouldn't have a record right now if the law was passed earlier. My charge is for paraphenalia. An investigation was done also and ruled out that we started the fire (can't think of the term dammit lol)

The new law saves many lives. It should of always been that way anyway!! Unfortunately, its not like it's retroactive. I now have a criminal record. Even though it's a misdemeanor, it still causes problems. Such as renting an apartment. I had to pay my current landlord thousands to "pass the criminal background check" .

So yes, being treated poorly because of both legal pain meds and illegal drug issues is atrocious.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I could not agree with you more, Larimar. The opiate crisis is part and parcel with many other "epidemics" in this country. An epidemic of doctors more interested in money than healing. An epidemic of loneliness and disconnection from a larger accepting community. An epidemic of gross materialism and consumerism. An epidemic of narcissism. An epidemic of ignorance. An epidemic of fear. An epidemic of sensationalism. I could be here all day working on this damn list......

Well said!

 

[Unregi]

My house burned down. There were some empty bags and rigs in the bedroom (they were the only things that didn't burn) The fire chief called the police back to the scene after he noticed them.

My husband and I were handcuffed watching our house burn down. We were in jail by that evening.

We had no prior drug charges. So I spent a total of 7.5 months in jail, 31 days of court-ordered rehab upon release from jail, addict-supervision probation. Which means they come to your house anytime they want and very frequently. Do a urine test. AND I had to go to the probation office up to 4 times a week for urine tests.

I had to call every morning between 4-6 a.m. to see if I had to come into probation that day.

While I was in jail for about 5mos - the law changed. You can no longer be arrested for calling/during emergency situations. I'm from Pennsylvania. Near Philadelphia. So I wouldn't have a record right now if the law was passed earlier. My charge is for paraphenalia. An investigation was done also and ruled out that we started the fire (can't think of the term dammit lol)

The new law saves many lives. It should of always been that way anyway!! Unfortunately, its not like it's retroactive. I now have a criminal record. Even though it's a misdemeanor, it still causes problems. Such as renting an apartment. I had to pay my current landlord thousands to "pass the criminal background check" .

So yes, being treated poorly because of both legal pain meds and illegal drug issues is atrocious.

I know attorneys are expensive but maybe one can help you to get this further reduced. In some states "M" charges can be expunged after a certain amount of time. I'm sorry this happened to you!

 

[Limpet_Chicken]

And people wonder why I want to see each and every filthy fucking porcine piece of shit given intravenous shots of concentrated caustic soda...they really are cunts. Interested in getting arrests, and in persecuting people they have personal vendettas against. And they couldn't give a fuck about say, a kid being bricked in the eye, when the assailant's identity is known for certain, or the same person, who they hate, when someone threatens to knife them to death in public, after first going on the rampage in a social work building just because 'there might not be any video footage on CCTV' or after having my head stamped on and being left for dead, 'its just common assault, its not worth our wasting our time on you'

 

[cj]

My house burned down. There were some empty bags and rigs in the bedroom (they were the only things that didn't burn) The fire chief called the police back to the scene after he noticed them.

My husband and I were handcuffed watching our house burn down. We were in jail by that evening.

We had no prior drug charges. So I spent a total of 7.5 months in jail, 31 days of court-ordered rehab upon release from jail, addict-supervision probation. Which means they come to your house anytime they want and very frequently. Do a urine test. AND I had to go to the probation office up to 4 times a week for urine tests.

I had to call every morning between 4-6 a.m. to see if I had to come into probation that day.

While I was in jail for about 5mos - the law changed. You can no longer be arrested for calling/during emergency situations. I'm from Pennsylvania. Near Philadelphia. So I wouldn't have a record right now if the law was passed earlier. My charge is for paraphenalia. An investigation was done also and ruled out that we started the fire (can't think of the term dammit lol)

The new law saves many lives. It should of always been that way anyway!! Unfortunately, its not like it's retroactive. I now have a criminal record. Even though it's a misdemeanor, it still causes problems. Such as renting an apartment. I had to pay my current landlord thousands to "pass the criminal background check" .

So yes, being treated poorly because of both legal pain meds and illegal drug issues is atrocious.

That's insane! Especially for paraphernalia!