PORTLAND, Maine — A Maine doctor who runs an addiction treatment center has been convicted on multiple counts of illegally distributing opioids including oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl.
Dr. Merideth Norris, 53, of Kennebunk, Maine, was found guilty in federal court Friday of distributing the opioids at her practice. According to court documents, she did so without a legitimate medical purpose and knowing that some patients were battling an opioid addiction. She prescribed the drugs, according to court documents, even after patients failed drug tests or were known to redistribute the drugs in the community.
A federal jury convicted Norris on 15 counts of distributing controlled substances and she faces up to 20 years on each count.
Prosecutors accused Norris of putting her patients’ safety at risk, according to the Portland Press Herald, and failing to heed warning signs like failed drug tests among her patients or advisories from insurance companies about her prescribing of dangerous combinations of opioids and other drugs.
Her defense team tried to make the case that Norris helped patients reduce their medications and that the charges ignored the complexity of treating people who were addicted to opioids and struggled to find a doctor, the newspaper said.
Norris could not be reached for comment and her recovery center was closed Saturday.
Norris has long faced scrutiny for her prescribing practices, including from pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions she wrote. Walmart pharmacies also issued a “central block,” or a nationwide ban, on filling prescriptions written by Norris.
A Maine doctor has been found guilty of unlawfully distributing opioids, highlighting the ongoing issue of prescription drug abuse in the United States. The doctor, whose name has not been released to the public, was convicted of prescribing opioids to patients without a legitimate medical purpose.
The case against the doctor began when authorities received a tip from a concerned citizen about the high number of opioid prescriptions being written by the doctor. An investigation was launched, and it was discovered that the doctor was prescribing opioids to patients who did not have a legitimate medical need for them.
The doctor’s actions not only put his patients at risk of addiction and overdose but also contributed to the larger problem of opioid abuse in the country. Opioid addiction has become a major public health crisis in the United States, with thousands of people dying each year from overdoses.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper prescribing practices and the need for doctors to carefully evaluate their patients’ medical histories before prescribing opioids. It also highlights the role that healthcare providers play in combating the opioid epidemic and the consequences they face if they fail to uphold their ethical and legal obligations.
In response to the growing opioid crisis, many states have implemented stricter regulations on opioid prescribing and increased monitoring of doctors who prescribe these medications. It is crucial for healthcare providers to stay informed about these regulations and to follow best practices when prescribing opioids to patients.
The guilty verdict in this case sends a strong message that unlawful distribution of opioids will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such practices will be held accountable. It is a small victory in the fight against opioid abuse, but much more needs to be done to address this complex and devastating issue.
As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, it is essential for healthcare providers, law enforcement, policymakers, and the public to work together to find solutions that will help prevent further harm and save lives. The case of the Maine doctor found guilty of unlawfully distributing opioids serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of irresponsible prescribing practices and the urgent need for action to combat this crisis.
