Pubdate: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2001 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 LORI HANSEN: FAIRNESS, RESTRAINT NEEDED Lori Hansen, a prominent Oklahoma City woman, is respected for her professional accomplishments. She became a national figure after the bombing of the Murrah Building due to her work with women here and elsewhere who have faced the trauma of disfiguring injuries. Dr. Hansen, a plastic surgeon in Oklahoma City and wife of District Attorney Wes Lane, faces a challenge to her medical license, after self-reporting a drug addiction that ended in June 2000. Hansen revealed the problem on her application to renew a permit, as required every three years, to prescribe narcotics. She notes, "It asked if I had treatment for drug or alcohol. I checked it." The self-reporting of the problem should be considered in her favor. Her situation was investigated by the state Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, which has submitted a report to Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Edmondson's staff named a district attorney outside of Oklahoma County to consider the case, after Lane recused himself. While such incidents can bring civil sanctions or other penalties, criminal prosecution is relatively rare in a case of prescription drug addiction when there is no indication of trafficking to other parties. Hansen still faces a hearing over the complaint filed with the state Board of Medical Licensure. That will focus on allegations of professional misconduct in connection with the self- prescriptions. As for the district attorney, he seems to have handled a difficult situation with care. Lane is a compassionate and caring gentleman, a Christian active in many local causes which assist youngsters and families in need. After just a few months in office, he has already faced several difficult decisions, including the prosecution of Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols and fallout flowing from the compromised forensics work of Joyce Gilchrist, a former police department employee. Perhaps nothing he's faced professionally has been quite the same as the personal storm of recent days. Lane began informing his staff about the situation this week. He says he did not know of his wife's problem until her staff organized an intervention last year. Lane and Hansen sought time with reporters for The Oklahoman and television news programs Monday, answering questions at length. Lane said, "My first priority isn't my political career." Referring to his marriage, he said, "These have been the best 14 years of my life. Whether I'm district attorney is irrelevant. This is where we are." Appointed by Gov. Frank Keating to finish the term of retired District Attorney Bob Macy, Lane's current hitch runs until January 2003. Next year, Lane must seek re-election in his own right if he wants a full four-year term. Hansen's hearing or hearings on her license won't occur for some time, and the independent investigator's decisions will also require careful study. We hope she gets a fair shake. Any rush to judgment would be unfair to her and to thousands who have faced debilitating addictions -- and to the public interest. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk