Pubdate: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Copyright: 2004 The Palm Beach Post Contact: http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333 Author: Jac Wilder VerSteeg Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/rush+limbaugh NO ROY BLACKS FOR THESE ADDICTS Rush Limbaugh contends that because so few people have been targeted for doctor-shopping, Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer's investigation of the talk-show host must be the result of political pressure. In fact, doctor-shopping for OxyContin and similar drugs is a relatively new phenomenon, and many states, including Florida, just now are recognizing the extent of prescription-drug abuse and expanding efforts to stop it. Mr. Limbaugh styles himself a leader in social policy. In his abuse of prescription painkillers, including OxyContin, he does appear to be part of the vanguard. From that out-front position, Mr. Limbaugh can't successfully complain of being one of the first to draw attention. As enforcement increases, however, the most frequent targets are not likely to be in Mr. Limbaugh's income bracket. Medicaid recipients are receiving the most intense scrutiny. The FDA approved OxyContin, one of the most abused prescription drugs, in 1995. Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer, expected the synthetic opiate to be less subject to abuse because its time-release formula delivered a dose too measured to deliver a kick. But in part because of label information warning against crushing the tablets, addicts soon learned that they could turn the tablets into powder for snorting or injecting. It wasn't until 2000 that reports of OxyContin abuse and deaths became common. Since then, lawmakers, health agencies and others have moved to curb the abuses. In Florida, doctor-shopping did not become a felony until July 1, 2002. In September of that year, Broward County prosecutors charged Marilyn Georges with doctor-shopping after two people died at her home just a few days apart. She was sentenced in December 2002 to four years in prison for obtaining drugs through fraud. In August 2002, Mr. Krischer's office arrested Michael Schlosman on doctor-shopping charges after his ex-wife died of an overdose. He died before going to trial. Roy Black, Mr. Limbaugh's attorney, pointed out Wednesday that those cases involved overdose deaths. But that just underscores the importance of investigating doctor-shopping before someone dies. So it is not the case that Mr. Limbaugh, who has not been charged, would be the first to face prosecution for doctor-shopping. Nor would he be the last. But in Florida and elsewhere, it is likely that the people who face prosecution won't be able to afford defense lawyers of Roy Black's caliber. In Florida, the Senate Select Subcommittee on Medicaid Prescription Overprescribing just recommended a series of measures to stop doctor- shopping by Medicaid patients, who also are covered by the general doctor-shopping law. The panel's recommendations are advancing in the Senate with bipartisan support. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1064, the state would pay much closer attention to Medicaid patients' prescriptions. Medicaid patients who lied to get drugs would be denied benefits. The bill also would make it easier to discipline doctors who fraudulently prescribe drugs to Medicaid patients. Patients who sell fraudulently obtained OxyContin and other prescription drugs on the black market would be guilty of a felony. Mr. Limbaugh, who has admitted his own addiction, seems to favor leniency for people addicted to prescription medications. He notes, with approval, that state Sen. Mandy Dawson, D-Fort Lauderdale, who altered a prescription to receive an additional 100 pills, was allowed to complete treatment and have charges dismissed. The compassion is new. What would Rush Limbaugh, before confessing to his own addiction, have said about Medicaid patients guilty of doctor- shopping for OxyContin? Mr. Black points out that hypocrisy is not a crime. He said he doubts that Florida would jail Medicaid patients who go doctor-shopping solely to feed an addiction to prescription pills. I think he's wrong about that last part. Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh should get a pass because Medicaid patients are ripping off taxpayers while Rush, even if he was doctor-shopping, spent only his own money. Regardless of who pays, though, doctor-shopping is a crime. Because of OxyContin and drugs like it, it is becoming more and more prevalent. If the state is determined to crack down on Medicaid recipients suspected of doctor-shopping, it is only fair to crack down on everyone suspected of doctor-shopping. Mr. Limbaugh's public-relations defense is "poor me." In that case, prosecutors should treat him the same as the state intends for them to treat the poor. Jac Wilder VerSteeg, Palm Beach Post Editorial Writer - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin