As reported in the Boston Globe from the Portland Press Herald
A state drug treatment official has concerns about the future of methadone clinics in Maine following the conviction of an addiction specialist for forging prescriptions at his Westbrook clinic.
Kim Johnson, director of the Office of Substance Abuse, said she is concerned about the future of CAP Quality Care Inc. and the effect that Dr. Marc Shinderman's convictions could have on the creation of new clinics in the state.
Shinderman, a psychiatrist, was found guilty of forging another doctor's name and prescription number on prescriptions, for drugs other than methadone, for patients at CAP Quality Care. The clinic now faces federal civil action.
"I'm worried about losing that clinic," Johnson said. "I'm worried that we will not be able to find physicians to serve as medical directors. I'm worried that doctors will feel targeted if they work with these clients."
Maine's methadone clinics now treat about 2,200 patients for addiction to opiates such as heroin and Oxycontin. The clinics are located in Calais, Bangor, Waterville and Greater Portland. [...]
Johnson and others believe that Shinderman came under scrutiny by law enforcement because of the large number of methadone overdose deaths in 2002, the first year of his clinic's operation.
Shinderman's clinic was searched under warrant in 2003. The search uncovered Shinderman's prescription writing practices, which led to his conviction.
No comments:
Post a Comment