Pennsylvania Lawyer Plus Painkillers Equals Arrest

Oh the pain!

Fentanyl and oxycodone are strong prescription opiates used to relieve moderate or severe pain. Fentanyl, which is stronger than oxycodone, is reportedly about one thousand times stronger than heroin. For the vast majority of patients, these painkillers are effective and are used safely. Unfortunately, addiction problems due occur, and those who have become addicted include lawyers.

The latest is reported to be a lawyer from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Robert Foley. He was recently arrested for fraudulently obtaining painkillers from 33 different doctors. The cost to feed his habit was approximately $3,000 per month. According to court papers, Foley became addicted to pain killers in 2008 after suffering a back injury.

 

The story is here and here.

Despite their pain killing properties, opioid drugs also can induce euphoria by affecting the brain regions that mediate what we perceive as pleasure. This feeling is often intensified for those who abuse opioids when administered by routes other than those recommended. For example, some addicts take OxyContin snorting it or injecting it in order to enhance its euphoric effects. Withdrawal symptoms from opiates include runny nose, sweating, headache, muscle pain cramps, fever, twitching, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, and fatigue.

Addiction to any drug – even prescription painkillers - is a brain disease. Fortunately, like other chronic diseases, the disease of addiction can be treated effectively.

Even though Foley must feel like this is the end of the world, people have rebounded from worse than this and gone on to achieve great things.

Return to Substance Abuse CLE

Meth in West Virginia? Yes, and an Attorney Caught Dealing!

Unbelievable. A 32-year-old attorney from Ripley, West Virginia has been arrested for trying to sell methamphetamines. She smoked some meth, then tried to sell some to a police informant. Well you know what? That is a no-no in any city, county or state – and she was busted. The story is here.


What is equally amazing are the on again, off again meth related charges that Sullivan has faced. See here and here.

Meth is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. It is often taken in combination with other drugs such as cocaine and marijuana and, like heroin and cocaine, can be inhaled, injected, ingested, or smoked. Meth is classified as a central nervous system stimulant drug. Street meth is referred to by many names, such as speed, tweak, uppers, glass, bikers’ coffee, poor man's cocaine, chicken feed, and stove top. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, which is meth in clear chunky crystal form resembling ice, can be inhaled by smoking. This “crystal meth” is also referred to as ice, crank, crystal, tina, and glass.

Meth is similar in chemical structure to amphetamine. It was first synthesized in 1919 as a synthetic substitute for ephedrine. Although meth can be prescribed, its medical uses are limited. It is sometimes used in very low doses for the treatment of narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The doses that are prescribed are much lower than those typically abused. Because it is so easily abused, meth is classified as a Schedule II drug, which means that it is only available through a doctor’s prescription that cannot be refilled.

Meth acts by increasing the release of dopamine in the brain, which leads to feelings of euphoria. However, this pleasure high is followed by a low or "crash" that often leads to increased use of the drug. With continued use, some users may have difficulty feeling any pleasure at all, especially from natural rewards. Long-term meth abuse results in many damaging physical and psychiatric effects, such as: addiction, violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, psychotic features (e.g. paranoia, hallucinations, delusions), and cardiovascular problems (e.g. rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stroke). Essentially, meth acts by changing how the brain works. It also speeds up many functions in the body.
Smoking meth, which results in the drug acting quickly on the brain, has become more common in recent years. This has amplified meth’s addiction potential and adverse health consequences.

Approximately 10 million people 12 years and older have abused meth in their lifetimes. It has been reported that in 2005, approximately 500,000 people were current users. Abuse has been especially noteworthy in certain areas of the country with indicators suggesting particular problems in Hawaii, California and the West Coast states, rural areas of the West and, more recently, the Midwest.

Return to Substance Abuse CLE

Utah Attorney Tries To Buy Cocaine!

Drugs in Utah? North Salt Lake City Attorney David Michael Nielson thought so. On June 27, 2010, Nielson was arrested for trying to buy cocaine. Besides North Salt Lake City, Nielson also worked as a contract attorney for West Bountiful City.

Here is the story from the Desert News.

An undercover drug operation was underway near a mall when Nielson asked an undercover cop if he could buy cocaine. That night, 18 other people were arrested, too. Why did Nielson suspect the undercover cop was selling cocaine? Who knows, there must be a certain look or body language that druggies identify.

At any rate, Nielson, who is 54, indicated he would resign, and he was suspended from the West Bountiful City gig.

Attorneys abuse illegal substances, just like everyone else – even government lawyers in their fifties.




Link Back to Substance Abuse CLE