Drug addiction is still a major problem that continues to vex legislators, law enforcement and physicians alike. In fact, opioid addiction has become a national crisis, with every state in the union reporting some type of unprecedented issue. According to a nytimes.com report, drug overdoses outpaced gun deaths 2015.
Part of the problem may be the stereotypical perception of the classic drug addict; disheveled, skinny or unkempt individuals who live in on the street or in rundown houses. But many opioid addicts are “clean cut” professionals who you would not suspect to have a drug problem. A classic, yet unfortunate example are doctors.
According to several media reports, physicians addicted to opioids and other drugs who are drug addicts lead complicated, double lives, mainly because of unfettered access to supply their own habits. One report highlighted the plight of an anesthesiologist who would receive a drug from a surgical nurse, give some to a patient, them some to himself, all without anyone in the operating room knowing. Even more troubling, this practice puts the patient at an incredible risk.
After all, an anesthesiologist has a patient’s life in their hands. If their mental faculties are compromised, a patient could lose their life. Simply put, a doctor who disregards a patient’s safety could be charged with a crime.
Because of this, authorities are not hesitating to charge physicians with drug crimes. If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a drug crime, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help.
The preceding is not legal advice or a guarantee of a particular result.