California Attorney Arrested On Suspicion Of Smuggling Drugs Into Prison

Illegal drugs can be the downfall of many, and in many different ways. Take attorney Kenneth Markman of Los Angeles for instance. Last month Markman was arrested after a police dog caught the scent of a bundle of illegal drugs in his possession inside the Criminal Courts Building.

Apparently, the dog alerted on Markman as he was waiting to speak his client inside the court jail. The canine caught the scent of heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana, valued at around $30,000. The story is here.



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Iowa Lawyer Charged With Possession of Crack

An attorney from Cedar Rapids has been charged with possession of a controlled substance after he allegedly obtained crack cocaine from a police informant. The attorney, Stanley Roush, is 52 years old. The story is here.

The legal profession provides one with a fulfilling career, to be sure. But it also includes a fair amount of stress, which can lead to substance abuse and even addiction.

The Iowa Lawyers Assistance Program reports the following “sobering” facts:

• Lawyers abuse alcohol at a 50- 80% higher rate than the general population.

• The incidence of depression among lawyers is twice as high as in the general population.

• According to a recent report of the ABA, studies indicate that more than 50 percent of all disciplinary cases involve impaired lawyers.

• The incidence of malpractice insurance claims are significantly higher among impaired attorneys.

• Lawyers suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction or depression often deny that they have problem.

Attorneys in Iowa who wish to speak to someone in confidence about substance abuse issues may contact the Iowa Lawyers Assistance Program.



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Lawyers and Substance Abuse an International Concern

Twenty-four percent of attorneys will suffer from alcohol abuse problems during their careers. That was one of the statistics discussed recently at an international conference of behavioral health professionals in Ireland. The story is here.

It is thought by many that stress is the number one contributing factor to this high figure. In fact, many studies have found significant but relatively small associations between stress in the workplace and elevated levels of alcohol consumption. For example, one early study data reported that employees’ reasons for drinking were found to be associated with stress-inducing job characteristics, but the correlations were weak. A national survey of employed persons found that lower job satisfaction and higher job stress both were risks for increased drinking. Another study found significant associations between employee alcohol use and lower job satisfaction, less faith in management, and lower involvement with and commitment to the job. There are significant associations between drinking and job burnout, and negative associations between employee drinking behavior and job autonomy and job satisfaction.

Attorneys are not the only professionals who suffer from higher rates of substance abuse. According to statistics revealed at the international conference, doctors are also three times more likely to develop liver cirrhosis than the general population.

Attorneys who are seeking help for their substance abuse problems can usually turn to their respective state bar associations. For instance, the mission of the State Bar of California’s Lawyer Assistance Program is to support recovering attorneys in their rehabilitation and competent practice of the law, enhance public protection, and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.

Many states also require attorneys to complete continuing legal education requirements in the prevention of substance abuse.

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