Trafficker or Healer? MD's and Pain Meds

This case is particularly relevant to those in health fraud concerned with prescription drug abuse (my home state of Utah being the current per-capita national champion). The outcome will effect how much liability the prescribing physicians have. The article expresses the point that doctors can't be detectives, and should never be afraid of DEA inquiry every time a narcotics prescription is written. There's the need to protect a physician in the practice of medicine, and there's also a need to prevent intentional MD traffickers from abusing then hiding behind their title.

-N

"Dr. Hurwitz, depending on which side you listen to, is either the most infamous doctor-turned-drug-trafficker in America or a compassionate physician being persecuted because a few patients duped him.
When Dr. Hurwitz, who is now 62, was sent to prison in 2004 for 25 years on drug trafficking and other charges,...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/science/27tier.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin

Trafficker or Healer? And Who’s the Victim?

By JOHN TIERNEY
Published: March 27, 2007
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 26 —