Tragic: Doctor Killed after Asking Patient for Urine Sample

[Justin]

Ky. clinic killing highlights region's drug issues
BY JEFFREY MCMURRAY, Associated Press Writer – 4 mins ago

CORNETTSVILLE, Ky. – As the only doctor in a 30-mile swath of Appalachia, Dennis Sandlin was committed to using a tracking system designed to curb prescription drug abuse, an epidemic in the area he had served for nearly two decades.

Officials say it was a disgruntled patient denied a narcotics script hours earlier who shot him to death in a hallway Tuesday as he reviewed a medical chart, his pen still in hand.

For the complete article please visit this link: Ky. clinic killing highlights region's drug issues

[JK2234]

Very sad...I was talking to someone who worked at a prison the other day who said half the people in jail are there b/c of a crime they committed over prescription pain killers...

Prescription drug abuse ravages state's youth - Addictions- msnbc.com

I know its an epidemic b/c teens and young adults put guns to the heads of pharmacy workers where im from for pain killers...

[Nairek]

There was an incident here in Florida recently where a patient attacked his pain management doctor & bit off part of his finger because the doctor refused to give him a prescription for pain medication.

The local newspaper posts the mugs shots of felony arrests on a daily basis on their website. About 1/4 of those arrested are for possession of narcotics without a prescription. It has become an epidemic I'm afraid.

[KBear]

Wow, how terribly sad. Here is a doctor, who unlike some, who just hand out narcotics like candy to anyone and everyone who asks, was doing the right thing and trying to help people who are in real pain, and loses his life doing so. I also take random drug screening at my pain management doctors office. I have no problems with this and actually like it, as it shows my doctor that I am taking my meds as prescribed and not abusing them. I think it should be a system implemented by all pain management doctors and could really cut down on the abuse of medications and weed out the people who are abusing them. This in turn, would help those of us in real pain, getting the medication we need.

[Terry Newton]

I offer no excuse for the criminal's behavior because there is none. Desperate people do desperate things. You're right when you say this is an epidemic. Prescription drug abuse is the number one problem in the country today. The pain medications we have are more potent than ever. We excuse drug companies bad behavior in a heart beat because we are capitalists. The Purdue Pharma people that intentionally lied about the potential for addiction with oxy-contin should have been sent away for a long time to prison. The company received a small fine which did not even hurt their bottom line. They did not have to face the thousand's of parents in the court room who lost their children to overdose deaths. They did not have to experience lawsuits over their injurious behavior. This is quite tragic. All the while that funding is being cut right and left to treat people that have developed substance dependence. I am sorry for the loss of a fine physician.

[Fuzzy]

Speechless.

Thank you for sharing this article.

[Cindylou]

Very sad story all the way around.

[Justin]

It's too bad the Clinic didn't press charges earlier in the day. Addiction is powerful.

[Cindylou]

Yes, very good point Justin.