The issue of the opioid crisis is a topic that’s been making headlines in recent years. People are realizing the extent of the addiction level in the U.S. to prescription medications. A number of efforts have been made, both on a national level and here in Michigan, to make it harder for people to get prescriptions for opioids from their doctors, and make substance abuse help available for those who need it. But the problem is immense. And Michigan, it seems, was hit the hardest, as a recent Detroit Free Press investigation revealed…
Michigan DOES have more opioid pushing doctors than most states!
The Free Press looked into the number of doctors in Michigan, as compared to other states, and discovered that here in the Great Lakes States we seem to have an inordinate number of doctors in trouble for health care fraud. Specifically, health care fraud as it relates to opioids. And for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the trend seems to be strongest in the metro Detroit area, where over 100 doctors have been accused and convicted in the last decade for painkiller schemes. In fact, according to the Department of Justice, the only place in the U.S. with more dope peddling doctors than Michigan is the state of New York.
Wealthy Metro Detroit neighborhoods seem to be the hardest hit.
Several doctors from Novi, Madison Heights, Farmington Hills, Troy, Ann Arbo, and Monroe (to name but a few) have all faced charges for their involvement in opioid pushing scams. Except one doctor from Plymouth who apparently fled before his sentencing hearing, and is now listed as a fugitive from justice. But what exactly did these local doctors do that got them into so much trouble with the law? Why are they accused of fueling the opioid crisis right here in Michigan?
The feds say the cost in dollars and lives is extremely high!
According to federal investigators, these Michigan doctors wrote countless falsified prescriptions for pain pills, billed the government for millions, and pushed huge quantities of opioids out into communities, where they destroyed lives and caused endless misery. In fact, according to the DOJ, opioid abuse kills more Americans than both car crashes and guns every year, which is a staggering number of deaths! And for what? The DOJ says the primary reason was greed. Or more specifically, money.Certainly doctors are not the only ones to blame. Let’s remember that they have willing customers (patients) coming to them for those narcotic prescriptions. Without customers, businesses, including doctors, close down. It seems that here in Michigan, we have lots of patients looking for narcotics and lots of doctors willing to write prescriptions.
Being accused of running pill mills and scamming patients is serious stuff!
In a sense, doctors have more to lose than many other people faced with criminal charges. In addition to the costs involved in fighting criminal charges, and the possibility of prison time, their reputations are destroyed and they lose their professional licenses, which ruins their career trajectory for the rest of their lives. And that’s why, if you’ve been accused of opioid-related criminal charges or any other drug charges here in Michigan you need to call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245 immediately. Our highly skilled and widely experienced criminal defense attorneys can protect your rights, and help you fight for your future. So don’t delay. Make the call now and speak to a tough criminal defense lawyer.! We’re available 24/7 at 866 7NoJail, or at: attorneys@kronzek.law.