Topic: Use Pain Meds? The Sheriff Wants Your Name ...
no photo
Thu 09/09/10 11:44 AM
Edited by Kings_Knight on Thu 09/09/10 11:45 AM
Here's an idea straight from the pages of 'Totalitarianism 101' ... Let's give the Sheriff access to our medical records so he can make sure WE'RE not dealing drugs when we get our pain meds. Sound good? You betcha - but only in a place like China ... or Cuba ... NOT here ...

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http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/09/08/669723/lists-of-pain-pillpatients-sought.html

Sheriffs want lists of patients using painkillers

BY LYNN BONNER - staff writer

Sheriffs in North Carolina want access to state computer records identifying anyone with prescriptions for powerful painkillers and other controlled substances.

The state sheriff's association pushed the idea Tuesday, saying the move would help them make drug arrests and curb a growing problem of prescription drug abuse. But patient advocates say opening up people's medicine cabinets to law enforcement would deal a devastating blow to privacy rights.

Allowing sheriffs' offices and other law enforcement officials to use the state's computerized list would vastly widen the circle of people with access to information on prescriptions written for millions of people. As it stands now, doctors and pharmacists are the main users.

30 percent of state residents received at least one prescription for a controlled substance, anything from Ambien to OxyContin, in the first six months of this year, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly 2.5 million people filled prescriptions in that time for more than 375 million doses. The database has about 53.5 million prescriptions in it.

Sheriffs made their pitch Tuesday to a legislative health care committee looking for ways to confront prescription drug abuse. Local sheriffs said that more people in their counties die of accidental overdoses than from homicides.

For years, sheriffs have been trying to convince legislators that the state's prescription records should be open to them.

"We can better go after those who are abusing the system," said Lee County Sheriff Tracy L. Carter.

Others say opening up patients' medicine cabinets to law enforcement is a terrible idea.

"I am very concerned about the potential privacy issues for people with pain," said Candy Pitcher of Cary, who volunteers for the nonprofit American Pain Foundation. "I don't feel that I should have to sign away my privacy rights just because I take an opioid under doctor's care." Pitcher is receiving treatment for a broken back.

boredinaz06's photo
Thu 09/09/10 12:05 PM



N.W.A. F tha police seems appropriate here.