Prescription for addiction: State probe finds poor oversight fuels ‘epidemic’ demand for heroin, painkillers
Wednesday, July 10, 2013 Last updated: Wednesday July 10, 2013, 10:43 PM
BY REBECCA D. O’BRIEN
STAFF WRITER
The Record
Corrupt doctors, phony wellness clinics and organized crime groups have exploited an under-regulated health care system to feed a growing epidemic of prescription painkiller and heroin addiction across New Jersey, according to a report released by state investigators Wednesday.
From a heroin mill in Cliffside Park and sham medical centers in Passaic and Wallington to gangs in Paterson and addicts in northern Bergen County suburbs, the report by the State Commission of Investigation highlighted North Jersey as a nexus of the regional heroin and opiate painkiller trade.
The result of a two-year probe, the report describes “the descent of sworn medical professionals into outright drug dealers” and “the intrusion of organized crime and other criminal elements into lucrative recesses of the health-care industry to feed an epidemic of demand for drugs.”
The commission’s recommendations focus on business regulation and supply-side policies, such as strengthening the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, regulation of prepaid cellphones and other tools of drug dealers, and the formation of a state strike force for drug investigations.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/health/NJ_report_links_corrupt_doctors_to_drug_abuse.html#sthash.bYAue5v7.dpuf
They are just following the Medical Marijuana model… what’s wrong with that ?