A pain doctor with offices in Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana has been charged with the deaths of five patients who died from prescription painkiller overdoses.

Dr. Jaime Guerrero faces a 32-count indictment for writing unnecessary prescriptions for methadone, hydrocodone, and oxycodone – strong narcotic prescription painkillers that are part of an addiction epidemic across the United States. Reportedly, the wrongfully prescribed narcotics led to the deaths of five of his patients. He allegedly prescribed these drugs “for no medical purpose” between 2009 and 2012; patient deaths occurred between 2010 and 2012.

Guerrero is also charged with healthcare fraud for his fraudulent billing practices.

Guerrero’s pain clinic was often packed, according to reports – the doctor saw up to 100 patients a day at the peak of his practice, spending 3 minutes or less with each. However, he submitted claims to insurance companies, Medicaid, and Medicare that reported much longer visits. He also employed a staff member, who was not a licensed counselor, to offer “drug education classes” to patients.

Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn Jr. said in a statement that “physicians who recklessly prescribe narcotics must be held accountable, and where investigators and prosecutors believe they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that medically unnecessary narcotics caused a patient death, we will pursue those cases criminally.”

Guerrero’s pain clinic, Advance Pain, claims on their website that “we believe that life should be experienced pain free.” Although Guerrero has a legitimate medical license in good standing, his prescribing practices involving narcotic painkillers were dangerous and negligent.

Prescription drug abuse and overdose is rampant in the South, especially in the Appalachian area of Kentucky. Recently, the Attorney General of Kentucky, Jack Conway, has filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, the manufacturers of OxyContin, because the company did not disclose the addictive dangers of their strong opioid painkiller, and that has led to numerous lives ruined through addiction and untimely death.

“This is about holding them accountable,” said Conway. “They played a pre-eminent role in the state’s drug problem. This started to explode in the mid-1990s, when Purdue Pharma was marketing OxyContin. The resulting opiate epidemic … is a direct result.”

Appalachian cities and towns rely on coal mining as the base of their economy, which means that many workers in the area suffer from chronic pain due to injury. Doctors prescribe narcotic painkillers to help treat back, shoulder, and leg injuries regularly, and that can easily become addiction for many patients.

Prior to 2006, according to the investigation, prescription drug overdose deaths rose 18% every year. Since 2006, however, that rate has risen only 3%, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. However, specific prescription drugs such as opioid painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin still saw steep rises in overdose deaths until 2011, likely reflecting the epidemic of prescription painkiller and opioid addiction in the US. 2011 was the final year included in the analysis.

The Strom Law Firm Protects Against Prescription Painkiller Drug Abuse Charges

Being arrested for prescription drug abuse in SC is something that can be devastating financially and emotionally, and can have long-lasting personal and professional consequences. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800.

The post Pain Doctor Charged with 5 Prescription Painkiller Deaths appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

The attorney generals from 43 states in the US have all co-written and signed a letter that was sent to several major oil companies, requesting their help to stop the sales of synthetic marijuana at gas stations.

BP, Shell, Phillips 66, Chevron, Valero, Sunoco, Citgo, Exxon Mobil and Marathon each received a copy of the letter, which asked the oil companies to shut down the gas station franchises which sold synthetic marijuana, especially varieties like K2, Spice, Posh, and Blaze, which are not only popular “brands” of synthetic marijuana, but illegal according to the DEA.

“Given the significant danger synthetic drugs present to users, especially our young people, we are extremely troubled that these drugs have been readily available in well-known retail locations,” the letter states.

The letter noted that synthetic marijuana-related emergency room visits for children under the age of 17 has spiked in the last several years – in 2011, synthetic marijuana sent 11,000 kids and teens to the emergency room, while in 2012, the drug caused 28,000 to visit hospitals for help.

“When teens and young adults can find synthetic drugs for sale at gas stations operating under well-known brands, its gives these illegal products the false appearance of legitimacy when in fact they are very dangerous, potentially deadly drugs,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said. “Oil companies spend millions of dollars on marketing campaigns designed to convince customers their brands are trustworthy. Prohibiting the sale of synthetic drugs in their stores can only protect their brand reputations while also protecting our youth.”

“Each year, the legislature passes a bill that makes certain compounds felonies. The problem is, as soon as the bill’s passed, they immediately change the compositions further where it’s not technically a felony until the legislature next comes into session,” says Georgia’s Attorney General Sam Olens.

“Young people should not die or be seriously injured from using products bought at gas stations or convenience stores,” the attorneys wrote. “While we acknowledge that the sale of synthetic drugs at retail locations is only one aspect of an ongoing problem, we do know that it has greatly contributed to the growth of the problem.”

The letter requests the following assistance from major oil companies regarding their franchises:

• Prohibit franchises from selling synthetic marijuana
• Ensure prohibition is understood by the franchise owners and employees by communicating directly with them
• Establish a contact person at corporate offices in case franchise owners or employees have a question regarding a specific product
• Revoke the franchiser/franchisee relationship if the owner or employees refuse to stop selling synthetic marijuana
• Report any gas station franchise to local authorities if they refuse to stop selling synthetic marijuana at gas station

The Strom Law Firm Can Help Defend Against Drug Charges Involving Synthetic Marijuana

If you or a loved one have been found with synthetic marijuana, or other synthetic drugs, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much of the drug was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for synthetic marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800

The post No More Synthetic Marijuana at Gas Stations, Attorney Generals Demand appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

Drug Trafficking Penalties in South Carolina

The penalties for a drug traffickin

g conviction in South Carolina are severe. Your rights, freedom, and future are at stake.
Penalties for drug trafficking (depending upon the drug, the arrest, and your record) can include:

Trafficking Marijuana: more than ten pounds, but less than one hundred pounds

• First offense: One to 10 years in prison and
$10,000 in fines;

• Five to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for a second
offense trafficking charge;

• 25 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for a third or
subsequent offense.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred pounds of marijuana your possible conviction can result in up to 30 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.

Cocaine Trafficking: Depending upon the amount, penalties for trafficking less than one hundred grams:

First offense: three to ten years in prison and $25,000.00 in fines;
Second offense: five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine
Third offense or subsequent offense: twenty five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred grams of cocaine your possible conviction can result in up to thirty years in prison and a $200,000.00 fine.

Under Federal Law, anyone who uses, possesses, or carries a firearm during or in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is subject to a five year mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment.

If you are convicted of carrying a firearm, five years will be added to your sentence and it may not be served consecutively with any other count.

The drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

The post What’s at Stake When You are Arrested for Drug Trafficking appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

Trafficking Marijuana: more than ten pounds, but less than one hundred pounds

• First

offense: One to 10 years in prison and
$10,000 in fines;

• Five to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for a second
offense trafficking charge;

• 25 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for a third or
subsequent offense.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred pounds of marijuana your possible conviction can result in up to 30 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.

Cocaine Trafficking:  Depending upon the amount, penalties for trafficking less than one hundred grams:

First offense:  three to ten years in prison and $25,000.00 in fines;
Second offense:  five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine
Third offense or subsequent offense: twenty five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred grams of cocaine your possible conviction can result in up to thirty years in prison and a $200,000.00 fine.

Under Federal Law, anyone who uses, possesses, or carries a firearm during or in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is subject to a five year mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment.

If you are convicted of carrying a firearm, five years will be added to your sentence and it may not be served consecutively with any other count.

The drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina.  Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.

By: South Carolina Drug Crimes Lawyer Pete Strom

Federal and State drug charges in South Carolina carry some of the stiffest penalties in the nation. When faced with a drug charge, you need a lawyer who knows how the system works and will fight to protect your rights.

The drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC,  include a former United States Attorney and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, a former Public Defender, and a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor. Mr. Strom has been given an AV-Rating, the highest ranking possible, from the respected legal guide Martindale-Hubble.

Whether you have been charged with:

• Possession of drugs
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Drug trafficking
• Possession of drugs in the proximity of a school
• Prescription Fraud
• Manufacturing Drugs or
• Money laundering

The drug crime attorneys at Strom Law Firm, LLC will aggressively defend your case whether you are under investigation or have been arrested for drugs in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina as well as the Federal Courts in Georgia.

The post South Carolina Drug Trafficking Penalties appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University has become the first to document differences in people who are sensitive to marijuana related to gender, and sex hormones. The study was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Although the National Institutes of Health issued a recommendation as far back as 1993 to include more women in drug studies, particularly in studies on who is sensitive to marijuana, many scientists have avoided using many female participants due to fluctuations in the hormone estrogen.

This recent study, headed by Professor Rebecca Craft, examined why estrogen can “skew” results in drug tests, including marijuana. Studying estrogen fluctuations in rats as related to THC use, Prof. Craft and her team “routinely manipulate hormones and follow females across their cycles to see if their drug sensitivities change along with their hormones. And they do… very frequently,” she said.

Craft found that her female rats developed more tolerance to the pain-relieving effects of THC after just 10 days of treatment with marijuana compounds.

“What we’re finding with THC is that you get a very clear spike in drug sensitivity right when the females are ovulating,” says Prof. Craft, “right when their estrogen levels have peaked and are coming down.”

Because females can develop a greater tolerance to marijuana’s euphoric compound more quickly, that can lead to more vulnerability to negative side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and addiction.

Previous studies have shown that women are more prone to cannabis addiction and abuse than men, and Craft’s study shines some light on why. Women are more likely, from previous studies, to show withdrawal symptoms like irritability, sleep disruption, and decreased appetite. They also have a higher likelihood of relapsing than men.

“Thanks to their estrogen levels, female rats are at least 30 percent more sensitive than males to the pain-relieving qualities of THC — the key active ingredient in cannabis. Females also develop tolerance to THC more quickly. These sensitivities could increase vulnerability to negative side effects like anxiety, paranoia and addiction,” Craft wrote.

One finding from Craft’s study showed that men were more likely to suffer the “munchie effect” than women, as well.

Craft conducted her gender differences study because of the prevalence and popularity of medical marijuana laws. Although some states like South Carolina have legalized one specific marijuana compound – cannabidiol – for medical use, other states have broader medical marijuana laws, meaning both women and men can receive prescriptions for medical marijuana to treat anything from anxiety disorders to chronic pain.

“These people have pain that lasts for months or years,” Prof. Craft says. “Tolerance develops differently and sometimes you get a lot less tolerance to a drug when people are in chronic pain.”

If You Face Marijuana Charges, Including Drug Charges for Medical Marijuana Use, The Strom Law Firm Can Help

Possession of marijuana charges are all too common in South Carolina. If you or a loved one have been found with medical marijuana, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was in your possession, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for medical marijuana hurt your reputation or your personal or professional future. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800

The post Study Suggests Women More Sensitive To Marijuana appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

A new federal report released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday, January 12th, reveals that, despite states cracking down on pill mills and drug-seeking behavior, prescriptions for painkillers and opioid drugs has still skyrocketed in recent years, which means that doctors treating patients with chronic pain could be unintentionally contributing to a drug addiction epidemic in the US.

The NIH study showed there are major gaps in how physicians and clinicians treat chronic pain problems. Their research, which began in September last year, showed that doctors are often ill-prepared with the latest findings on prescription painkillers and chronic pain problems, and that the medical community at large has not investigated better treatment methods outside of prescription painkillers.

“The prevalence of chronic pain and the increasing use of opioids have created a ‘silent epidemic’ of distress, disability, and danger to a large percentage of Americans,” the report authors write. “The overriding question is: Are we, as a nation, approaching management of chronic pain in the best possible manner that maximizes effectiveness and minimizes harm?”

In 2011, around 17,000 people died from an overdose of prescription painkillers.

And, unlike previous drug addiction epidemics, victims of prescription painkiller addiction are often white, middle class or upper middle class, with health insurance.

“[Past epidemics] made it easier for the public and even healthcare professionals to think about people with addiction as ‘those people,’” says Dr. Andrew Kolodny, the chief medical officer of the rehabilitation nonprofit Phoenix House. “Hopefully that’s changing.”

“[Providers] are sometimes quick to label patients as ‘drug-seeking’ or as ‘addicts’ who overestimate their pain,” the authors write. “Some physicians ‘fire’ patients for increasing their dose or for merely voicing concerns about their pain management.”

The NIH writers suggested that clinicians often do not have good rules to follow when treating individual pain, which can have both physical and emotional roots. Other treatments for chronic pain, like physical therapy, antidepressants or antianxiety medication, and alternative or complimentary therapies should be considered along with prescription painkiller prescriptions. This could help wean patients off prescription painkillers once their pain management has stabilized, or could prevent patients from needing increasingly higher doses over a short period of time.

“The lack of scientific evidence on effectiveness and harms of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain is clear and is in striking contrast to its widespread use for this condition and the large increase in prescription opioid-related overdoses,” wrote Roger Chou, MD, of Oregon Health and Science University, and colleagues.

Meanwhile, some states like Kentucky are taking the prescription painkiller epidemic seriously, and have filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for misrepresentation of the safely of their prescription painkillers.

The South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Program could help reduce prescription drug abuse and drug-seeking behaviors like doctor-shopping, in which patients visit multiple doctors complaining of chronic pain so that they can get multiple prescriptions for narcotics or sedatives. The program can also can track how many prescriptions doctors write, which could prevent pill mills or illegal drug activity.

The Strom Law Firm Protects Against Prescription Drug Abuse Charges

Being arrested for prescription drug abuse in South Carolina is something that can be devastating financially and emotionally, and can have long-lasting personal and professional consequences. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800.

The post Chronic Pain Could Lead to Prescription Painkiller Addiction appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

In legal terms, a plea is an answer to a claim made by someone in a civil or criminal case.  It has come to mean the statement made by a criminal defendant at arraignment or otherwise an answer

to a criminal charge, whether that individual pleaded Guilty, Not Guilty, No Contest or Alford plea.

Defendants in court can be convicted one of two ways: by pleading guilty or after a trial.

In the criminal justice system, people who choose to admit their guilt are often “rewarded” with lesser sentences.

Those individuals who choose to take advantage of their Constitutional right to trials can be “penalized” with harsher sentences.

Often times this difficult decision pushes a person between a rock and hard place.

Pleading Not Guilty in South Carolina

However, getting arrested in South Carolina does not mean that you are guilty or that you do not have any rights.  If you are arrested, you have the right to plead not guilty and ask for a jury trial.

A guilty plea can have lasting consequences beyond a fine or prison sentence including the loss of your right to carry a firearm, custody or visitation with your children, lifetime registration on the sex offender registry as well as professional consequences that can wreck your livelihood and end your career.

The Strom Law Firm encourages all individuals who receive a traffic citations or warrant for what seems to be minor traffic or criminal offenses to seek a free consultation with an attorney before giving up valuable rights such as the right to contest the charge by jury trial or otherwise. The criminal defense lawyers with Strom Law Firm provide afree consultation for these matters and have the experience you need to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.  Contact us today to discuss how we can help. 803.252.4800

The post Is Pleading Guilty Better? appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

In March this year, Governor Nikki Haley issued Executive Order 2014-22, which created the Governor’s Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Council. The council was tasked with studying South Carolina’s problem with prescription drug abuse, and finding methods to help curb the problem. Now, the council said that enacting its recommendations, including creating a prescription drug tracking database, and requiring SC Health Care Officials to enroll in the South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Program, can help curb the problem of addiction to prescription narcotics and barbiturates.

The council recommended creating the prescription drug database so that doctors and pharmacists can monitor patients’ refills and requests for drugs. This can help prevent drug-seeking behaviors like doctor-shopping, in which patients visit multiple doctors complaining of chronic pain so that they can get multiple prescriptions for narcotics or sedatives. It can also detect if a patient is taking too much addictive pain medication by tracking how many refills they seek – this could also indicate that the patient may be selling their prescription drugs, or there is an addict in their life stealing pills. Further, the South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Program (prescription drug database) can track how many prescriptions doctors write, which could prevent pill mills or illegal drug activity.

The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Council helped create a voluntary drug tracking database, but so far, just 21% of prescribers have joined the South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Program. The council recommended passing a law that would require health care professionals to participate in the drug monitoring program.

“This is the quickest, most effective tool we have” in getting excess painkillers off the streets, said Council member Louis Costa, a surgeon and immediate past chairman of the state Board of Medical Examiners. “It’s a break with tradition to mandate this, but we believe the public deserves it.”

The report also noted that more South Carolina residents die from prescription drug abuse and overdose, especially from narcotics like OxyContin and Percocet, than heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine combined.

“The cornerstone to start turning the tide on this epidemic is to reduce the excess supply of prescription drugs causing addiction, rather than medical benefit, emanating from the physician prescription pad, both from unscrupulous pill mills and unwittingly naive physicians,” Inspector General Patrick Maley wrote in his May 2013 report.

“Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue in this country and in South Carolina, affecting far too many of our citizens and their families,” said Gov. Haley. “Finding solutions for drug addiction of any kind is always complicated and takes a real team effort and I thank Inspector General Maley and our partners for their leadership and willingness to help combat this growing problem.”

The Strom Law Firm Protects Against Prescription Drug Abuse Charges

Being arrested for prescription drug abuse in South Carolina is something that can be devastating financially and emotionally, and can have long-lasting personal and professional consequences. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help.

Whether you are charged with:

• Prescribing or writing Illegal prescriptions,
• Doctor Shopping or attempting to obtain drugs by fraud or deceit,
• Illegally possessing prescription drugs,
• Selling prescription drugs, or
• Stealing or Forging Prescriptions for drugs,

Contact the South Carolina prescription fraud attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. We will investigate your case from every angle, determine whether an illegal search took place and seek to have your charges reduced or even dismissed. 803.252.4800

The post SC Prescription Monitoring Program Can Help Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

e. Below is a list of 5 mistakes NOT to make if you are pulled over for driving under the influence.

1. Do not answer any questions about how much you have had to drink. You should not be rude, but simply state that you prefer not to answer the question or state that you would prefer to talk to an attorney first.
2. Do not take a field sobriety test. Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)are notoriously bad indicators of intoxication. Judging FSTs is a highly subjective process, which has led to countless false DUI accusations. A motorist has the right to refuse participation in roadside sobriety tests. Declining to take a roadside test does not carry the same consequences asrefusing to take a breathalyzer, though the motorist may be arrested on suspicion of DUI for refusing an FST. That is the police officer’s discretion. Motorists make the mistake of participating in the Field Sobriety Tests though which then helps give the officer probable cause to arrest him or her for DUI and can lead to a breathalyzer test. Remember the officer must prove the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Though a driver may suffer some consequences, it is less damaging then providing the officer with admissible evidence to use in court to prove DUI.
3. Do not take a breathalyzer test.Results of handheld breathalyzer tests may be used to establish probable cause or reasonable suspicion of drunk driving. This allows a police officer to make an initial arrest and bring you in for an admissible breath test or blood test. Results from the BAC Datamaster, a desktop breath testing device, are admissible as evidence in a driving under the influence charge if proper protocol foradministering a breath test was followed, and you were advised of your breathalyzer rights and the law of implied consent.
4. If you are charged for DUI, do not pay the fine. Pleading guilty for a first offense DUI in South Carolina can haunt you for life. A DUI on your record will never go away or be expunged—it will forever stick with you. You will automatically lose your license for six months, and you will have to purchase SR-22 insurance for the next three years, which can add an additional $300-$600 on your car insurance premium. By paying the fine, you automatically plead guilty to first offense DUI.
5. Do not represent yourself in court. Many individuals make the mistake of representing themselves in court against an experienced prosecutor. As previously stated, First Offense DUI is a serious offense and should be treated that way. There are many consequences at stake if you decide to represent yourself. If you have been arrested or charged with DUI, contact, or have a friend or family member contact, acompetent DUI attorney in your area; Do NOT wait until the last minute to contact an attorney.

Founded by a former U.S. Attorney, the team at Strom Law Firm, LLC also includes a former Public Defender, and a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor. It’s awarded the highest Martindale-Hubble ranking and collectively holds more than 50 years of complex litigation experience. Our DUI defense attorneys will evaluate your case at no charge.

The post Top 5 Mistakes Drivers Make When Stopped for DUI in South Carolina appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.

The American Academy of Neurology released a statement on Monday, September 29th, that studies show prescription painkiller dangers outweigh the benefits when treating chronic pain problems like migraines, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.

Addiction, overdose, and death associated with prescription painkillers is on the rise in the US, reaching epidemic proportions recently. Now, studies associated with AAN’s statement suggest that strong narcotic prescription painkillers can help with pain in the short term, but there’s no proof that long-term use benefits patients with chronic pain diseases.

“More than 100,000 people have died from prescription opioid use since policies changed in the late 1990s to allow much more liberal long-term use,” Dr. Gary Franklin, of the University of Washington in Seattle, said in an academy news release.

“There have been more deaths from prescription opioids in the most vulnerable young to middle-aged groups than from firearms and car accidents,” he added. “Doctors, states, institutions and patients need to work together to stop this epidemic.”

The issue of the journal Neurology recommends that doctors refer patients to a pain management specialist if the patient’s daily dose of prescription painkillers reaches 80 milligrams to 120 milligrams, especially if there is little to no improvement in daily function and pain management with the increase in dose. The journal also recommends screening for depression and past or present drug abuse, and using random urine drug screenings.

“More research and information regarding opioid effectiveness and management is needed, along with changes in state and federal laws and policy to ensure that patients are safer when prescribed these drugs,” Franklin said.

Meanwhile, after months of debate, the DEA will officially reclassify hydrocodone combination drugs like Vicodin, and put them in Schedule II substances, a group considered extremely addictive and dangerous. Hydrocodone is an opioid painkiller, much like oxycodone and related prescription painkillers. However, hydrocodone, which is the active ingredient in popular prescription painkillers like Vicodin, has previously been classified as Schedule III, which allows doctors to prescribe the medication without numerous followup visits to re-prescribe. This allows patients with serious chronic pain problems to have better access to a painkiller that will work.

“Almost seven million Americans abuse controlled-substance prescription medications, including opioid painkillers, resulting in more deaths from prescription drug overdoses than auto accidents. Today’s action recognizes that these products are some of the most addictive and potentially dangerous prescription medications available,” said DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart.

Around 22 million Americans have misused prescription painkillers since 2002.

The Strom Law Firm Protects Against Prescription Painkiller Abuse Charges

Being arrested for prescription painkiller abuse is something that can be devastating financially and emotionally, and can have long-lasting personal and professional consequences. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help. We will investigate your case from every angle, determine whether an illegal search took place and seek to have your charges reduced or even dismissed. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so call us today at 803.252.4800.

The post Study Finds Prescription Painkiller Dangers Outweigh Benefits appeared first on South Carolina Drug Crimes Attorneys | Federal and State Criminal Defense.