NursingLink

I hope that you will help me.  I have one brother, one sister, and a brother in law ... all addicted to oxycontin.   I live in the middle georgia area.  All 3 of these family members go to the same pain clinic, the same spine surgeons, the same pharmacy.  They each pay a fee per month to get their prescriptions filled at the local drug dealing pain clinic.  They each get 300 oxycontin per month. 

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that there is no way that 3 people in the same family need a total of 900 oxycontin per month.

My brother has nearly died twice from overdoses, and had to be put on life support each time.  He is now in law-ordered rehab.  He didnt go by choice.   I know that my family members are equally to blame... but these liscensed drug dealers are ruining lives. 

The whole group is constantly lining up the next back surgery.  My sister's 4 children are neglected.  The local sherriff is too lazy to combat this problem.  Our whole family is horribly impacted ...

this is a bad doctor / pain clinic,

all of the local drug addicts use the same surgeon, pain clinic, and pharmacy,

please tell me who can help us to shut this drug ring down.  Who can I talk to?

I don't know what advice to give other than to pray and try to lodge a formal complaint.  My prayers are with you and your family

ok, been there to a point.  sister-in-law hooked on same drug for 5 yrs.  Developed breast cancer, always a BAD (in every sense of the word) diabetic for years.   Went in to hospital for skin graph for cig burn acquired during a stooper.  Myself and her 15yr old daughter informed the doctors of what was up!!!  Then informed the family while she was in hospital.  I cleaned her house and cleaned out all the bottles empty or not.  I kept them in plastic bags at my house and took them to the hospital.  The floor supervisor and others higher up saw it too.  2 years later she was clean but dead due to the abuse to her body from a heart attack at the age of 43.  We found her the day before I turned 40.

So, start with compiling the evidence.  The empty bottles.  Find others in the area that are dealing with family members too.  If it's that free, I'm sure there are others!!  Sit in the parking lot and watch the people go in.  In a small community, I am positive that you will know them.  I live in a 24,000 rural town.  I know.  Be able to show the pattern.  Talk to an attorney and have a paper ready for guardianship.  Then it's time for the saving of the kids!!!  TURN THEM IN FOR NEGLECT!!  Be ready to stand up and take guardianship of the kids.  Now, the state is involved.  Skip the cops and go to the DA.  Do not forget the newspapers like a good gossippy story.  What it comes down to is how much are you going to push!  Dr/client privilege is only for info that the Dr might give not for what he hears from others or the proof that is sitting in his face.  I kept those bottles for the 2 years just in case.  They were a big part in getting the hospital to listen!!!  Later, I was informed that the bottles were the over the top evidence with the daughter standing there telling the hospital what her mom would be like on the drugs.

I pushed.  I even typed the paper for her to sign custody over to my in-laws.  My husband and I were equal partners in this.  The daughter is 22yr, married and happy.  Doesn't use drugs but does enjoy a miller highlife now and then as a 22yrs old does at times. 

It appears that this place is a pain clinic so they are to give out pain killers even challenger the frequency routines.  For this family, the kids need to saved  first - they deserve a safe place.  Most investigations are weighted if children are involved.  This is not a priority per my WI DEA cousin says.  Meth is.  So he said to go at this from the hospital and DA.  Unfortunitely this crap happens.

I know what you are going through. Here are some suggestions.

1.You can turn this person in, however for every Dr. over prescribing there is always another one. I am not saying not to turn him in, just be in reality about it.

2. An addict is resorceful and will find the drugs at any cost.

3. Be careful about getting the state involved with the children, this doesn't always turn out the way you think. See if your sister will agree to let you care for them. Most addicts don't want the responsibility anyways. Just know how to approach the subject. Get her when she is not high, or at least the straightest you can and share your concerns in a non-judgemental and caring way. If you attack her she will not respond well and she will not respond at all if you get her when she is high. If the kids are in physical danger call the authorities now...If you and your family can get the kids without involving the state, this is the best way to go....Threaten to call the state and see what this does. Just use the state as the last resorce unless they are in danger.

4. I think it is great that he(your brother) I think you said, is in Rehab. It doesn't matter how he got there just as long as he got there. The professional will break down his denial.

5. Do an intervention on your sister. See if that works.

6. Go to al-anon. You need the support and these people have been exactly where you are...

7. Pray. You can only do so much to help the addict in your life, and if you are not careful you will be the one in the psych ward, take care of yourself first and foremost.

Keep us updated and I will be praying for you.