New York’s Michael Belfiore ’pill-mill' doctor case (updates in links)

UPDATES: bit.ly/388EqmL
A New York doctor charged in the overdose deaths of two of his patients sat down with Crime Watch Daily in 2017 to tell his side of the story. Michael Belfiore was later convicted in 2018. UPDATES: bit.ly/388EqmL
In July 2020, Michael Belfiore was denied a request for a new trial following his May 2018 conviction on 28 federal charges related to his prescribing of opioids. bit.ly/388EqmL
Belfiore filed a motion to have the guilty verdict overturned, arguing that his attorney at the time misguided him in rejecting a plea deal. The deal -- a guilty plea to one distribution charge -- could have saved Belfiore jail time. bit.ly/388EqmL

[@paulaharlfinger829]

I don't see how the Dr can be blamed for a patient lying and buying extra drugs and snorting pills. THAT was what was deadly.

[@victoriawilliams2786]

I agree with you. I used to be on morphine and became physically addicted. When I recognized the problem I stopped taking it cold turkey. Unfortunately some people don't take the responsible course of action. As a recovering alcoholic I understand how hard it is to get sober and stay that way. Addiction is definitely a disease. And it's the responsibility of the patient to take the medication as prescribed. These people clearly didn't follow the doctor's instructions and died because of their own irresponsible behavior.

[@domk2993]

facts!!!!!! That’s not the Dr’s fault. Maybe he did overprescribe a little. But the death is not on him.

[@courtneytally2251]

Exactly 💯

[@AHD2105]

It doesn't matter the patients intent, the doctor has to assess motivation also because addiction is also part of medical treatment. That's in their training. They are not their to give out pharmaceuticals, they are their to assess treatment and whether or not they need to be medicated and what type. They can't drop that as part of their responsibility otherwise they are simply vendors and not doctors who treat patients!

[@determinedheretic5344]

What kind of doctor is he? Because I do know for a fact that only specialized doctors should be the ones prescribing such medications. Let me give a better example. Doctors carelessly giving prescriptions for Fentanyl for back problems or pain that should not administered. Only doctors with specializations should only prescribe such a drug because fentanyl is the last option and usually used on cancer patients etc. Part of the problem is the cracks in the healthcare system. If you don’t believe it, check out 60 mins Australia’s own investigation on this significant issue

[@jillgarlick2122]

So why aren’t alcohol outlets getting charged when a drunk driver kills someone or themselves?

[@mikkolaki24]

That is why alcohol outlets only sell to adults. They should be responsible for their actions. Similar to this case. Even if you have a license doesn't mean you can just pump people with anti-pain prescriptions

[@endcapitalism5274]

When you go to a liquor store, do you expect them to cure you from your pain or illness? There is your answer.

[@auburnanger6679]

I don't disagree but maybe it's a but different because he personally profits from their prescriptions. Maybe I'm wrong.

[@AHD2105]

And the producers...coz most politicians drink...whose gonna vote for no alcohol laws.

[@unamilan2978]

How about smoking? It makes smoker to have a cancer and after suffering years and years and drain all their savings at the end death.

[@RA-gj6hm]

The doctor is innocent, in the hidden camera footage, he was not encouraging the misuse of the prescriptions and he was against it. The patients misused the prescriptions, and the families tried blaming the doctors for their own failure to provide help for their loved ones.

[@KJ_PhD]

You’re a dope. He knew he was being filmed.

[@endcapitalism5274]

He admitted on camera that he ordered the x-ray just to cover up his practice in from the state. That means he knew what he was doing was wrong and admitted to covering it up. It is true that he fired patients who he suspected of being fake patients, yet that does not erase the evidence for his drug dealing. He can do both, so that he can pretend that he is careful in case he is caught later.

[@klarity1111]

@@endcapitalism5274 Doctors will admit to some things in hopes of getting a lighter sentence.

[@BenWinder108]

Tell that to the 23 years he's serving in prison

[@WesternScienceUSA]

I agree with the Dr. they died because they didn't take the right amount. If he is guilty of anything it's just over prescribing the same medicine.

[@YusuphYT]

@NIKKIE NOVA stfu. you can either take 5mg, 10mg like a responsible adult, 20 if you want to get high and functional, 30 if you want to drool and 40-60 if you wish to risk death.

[@clarissa8477]

This lady is way over dramatic. “They died on YOUR watch!” No, one didn’t even have the prescribed drug in his system and the other snorted it.

[@domk2993]

🤣🤣🤣 fact!! That’s what I said. She bein drama

[@princessleiaorgana7238]

Seriously, then charge EVERY doctor that has had a patient die.

[@picklep9812]

He is being scapegoated. Why not target the pharmaceutical companies

[@soalegria1971]

Ever hear of the Hippocratic oath?! FFS. 5,000 scripts, 600,000 pills, that’s normal? Give me a break. He can’t even look at her when he’s lying through his teeth!

[@tugger]

@@soalegria1971 ever heard of systems and pressures? insurance fraud and pill-pushing has become the job

[@soalegria1971]

@@tugger Seriously Dude, your comment is hella ridiculous. Excusing idiot behavior because of ‘pressures’ is a cop out.I’m going to choose to see your comment as sarcastic, instead of seeing you as a moron.

[@bebzon8941]

pharmaceutical companies like purdue and johnson&johnson were ordered to pay billions in damages.

[@KJ_PhD]

Drs don’t have an excuse anymore. There are abuse-deterrent forms of almost every opioid on the market. If you’re prescribing abusable versions, you should be in prison.

[@chrisgomez860]

I have to disagree with those blaming this doctor. Where is personal responsibility? And I am SICK of elite power players deciding what we can put in our bodies.

[@jillgarlick2122]

Agree with the personal responsibility thing, but opioids are over subscribed, and Drs ARE rewarded for prescribing them by the pharmaceutical companies.

[@mariafox9226]

Hah. Tell that to my health insurance deciding what insulin I get.

[@jillgarlick2122]

@@mariafox9226 that has got nothing to do with what I said.

[@endcapitalism5274]

Then legalize drugs if you want like in Portugal, but don't go to the doctor for dope while faking back pain. The doctor was not a responsible prescriber. Where was his personal responsibility to prescribe dope to known addicts for no medical reason? How is that part of practicing medicine? That is called drug dealing.

[@susanmccormick4627]

True chronic pain patients should not be denied quality of life. Unfortunately people that don’t need pain meds have made the lives of those who do need it hell. If the patient does wrong, it is the patient’s responsibility.

[@Fabulousviccen]

I totally agree with this! If I was on the jury I wouldn’t find him guilty

[@johnhowell5295]

Totally agree I've had two knee surgeries I had back surgery where they cut my back open because I had a slipped disc I have severe arthritis in both my knees and I'm on my way to having shoulder surgery and you know what they told me here is a bottle of ibuprofen you're all set

[@Debbietnp]

PREACH MY FRIEND, PREACH!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@clarissa8477]

@@johnhowell5295 I agree, it’s already hard for people to get these meds when they really need them, holding the doctors responsible when someone misuses a prescription is going to make them even more hesitant. Our society is removing personal responsibility and that’s a road we shouldn’t go down.

[@kykycupcake1]

As a chronic pain patient Yes to all of this

[@shereesetz6690]

This Dr is innocent!!! People need hold themselves accountable not blame others. It's ridiculous!

[@wajamal1]

U right by my side

[@TehKaiser]

He was convicted a while ago.

[@debbieberger5889]

Because of this bs people don't get taken seriously with really pain.. 🤦‍♀️

[@brookelynnkeele6841]

Thank you!

[@kims364]

Agreed,!

[@tomjohn8662]

Doctor just did his job, he even discharged those patients including the undercover agent who he thought was misusing the prescription

[@angelamacdonald4254]

Because of this shit Dr.s under prescribed pain meds. There are more suffering from chronic pain than junkies. Poor guy

[@paolaestrada1387]

If anyone should be investigated and have restrictions it should be the pharmaceutical company that makes these drugs.

[@missvaleria1722]

@@paolaestrada1387 exactly!

[@bebzon8941]

@@paolaestrada1387 Companies (purdue, johnson&johnson) were ordered to pay billions in damages. But the doctor is guilty too. He clearly knew what he was doing.

[@davidkruse4030]

@@paolaestrada1387and they have. Now many people cannot get their meds. Including kids with adhd

[@ericludwig5854]

How do you charge the doctor when people kill themselves?

[@HlalefangGwate]

I'm on the doctor's side, the "loved ones" and the government even just need someone to blame... that's okay, but it shouldn't be the medical professionals

[@HlalefangGwate]

Sorry spoke too soon, a quick Google search has revealed that he was convicted after all... such a shame

[@Wareaglegirl9960]

Doctor isn’t responsible for your actions

[@nevertimetotryagain]

I think the government should stay out of medicine.

[@kasugapachaka8858]

*Period*

[@mikkolaki24]

I disagree. As a pharmacist, there is already an increasing amount of addiction problems based on pharmaceutical pain killers. Before going to oxycodon, we have other solutions such as a better sleep hygiene, anti-histamines, etc.

[@tugger]

laughing in free health care right now the US is a dystopia

[@homegirl44]

@@tugger Except your healthcare is crappy and the US is top tier

[@liam9214]

Yeah, let's just not regulate medicine, practice, contents, degrees, procedures, prices, etc. what could go wrong?

[@hi-cblanco7913]

This made me really mad. How could you blame a doctor who was doing his job for patients stupid decisions

[@angeliquebelluomini7797]

This is awful. Being a patient who legitimately suffers from arthritis, it makes getting pain relief nearly impossible.

[@AHD2105]

Stinging nettle works really well...it's a strong anti inflammatory. You lightly sting where the pain is and it goes away. Some rest homes use it.

[@davidkruse4030]

you dont need 5pills of 30mg of oxycodone each a day.

[@Cuinn837]

Some people have very severe pain that never goes away.@@davidkruse4030

[@melissalucero9239]

All of this has created a huge issue for chronic pain patients.

[@RobinMarconeCassidyRN]

Very true

[@brookelynnkeele6841]

💯💯 I'm sick and these people that shop around makes it hard for people like me that actually needs it. Though I hate pills, rather have weed

[@melissalucero9239]

@@brookelynnkeele6841 this crack down on meds really sucked for me too.

[@brookelynnkeele6841]

@@melissalucero9239 it sucks for people like us that actually need it

[@kims364]

Agreed! I have fibromyalgia and three failed back surgeries, arthritis , I'm only 41, People like us that actually need pain meds have a hard time getting them now. I also smoke weed but there are times I need my pain meds.

[@zanishabrown3021]

When patients take advantage of the medication, it's not the doctors fault.

[@Fabulousviccen]

This doctor is innocent: 1. It’s the patient’s responsibility not to abuse it and take it as directed 2. If I’m only prescribing you one medication and you go to different doctors to get more opioids that’s not my problem 🤷‍♀️. I know why and what I’m treating you for. I can’t account for what other doctors do. 3. Again how can I be responsible for someone else selling the bottle of pain meds. He KNEW that was illegal so why do it? Again not my problem 🤷 His logic did make sense though. If an alcoholic goes to a liquor store and get alcohol poisoning is that the store’s owner fault? Of course it’s not.

[@BlueDaisy33]

Here is the thing though according to the law if a person is really drunk and buys alcohol and gets alcohol poisoning, then the person who sold them the alcohol (either owner of store or bartender) can be found guilty of causing the poisoning. So when a doctor gives someone 248 pills for a month and a half then that can be counted as gross negligence so yes the doctor is guilty as far as the law goes

[@HoneyBear13]

@@BlueDaisy33 but the man was found with a completely different type of medicine than was prescribed for him and the other SNORTED his pills. This is NOT the doctors fault at all! He is innocent!

[@oAgL214]

It's simple. If he prescribes a specific patient 30 pills for 15 days and that patient comes to get more after 1 week YOU DO NOT PRESCRIBE MORE. As it's clear they're abusing it. For you to get to that point you need to have been building a really high tolerance to the pills and that means taking more tham you need for a long period of time. IMO he's not innocent.

[@oAgL214]

His logic is off and is not the same thing. You can't possibly be comparing to a liquor store clerk. They don't prescribe alcohol they just cell it. He is a Dr and he is in charge of the patients health. If you see a patient has an addiction you send them to a specialist to get help not help them binge on their addiction.

[@BlueDaisy33]

@@HoneyBear13 this is a man who gave a known alcoholic aka a person with addiction problems a highly addictive pill. How is that not negligence? Like yes his alcohol problem isn’t his business but as a doctor you know this person will probably get addicted to the pain meds. Also I’m pretty sure that Because of how addictive it is oxycodone is a last choice type of drug and you only use it if all other pain pills fail and this guy gave it to the undercover cop.

[@ericludwig5854]

That marine was pushing the issue. He was hunting this out.

[@julianreed8479]

Foh

[@gailwarnock2764]

He's not responsible for how they take their meds the instructions are on the bottle.

[@emilysuprise7158]

seriously what the hell was wrong with the way he was interacting with that undercover person? He seemed really genuinely concerned about their well-being and even said that it is illegal to distribute pills to other ppl

[@dididothat2245]

This is seriously like trying to blame the owners of a liquor store!!!!!!! Go ON!

[@jannasmith3275]

People just want someone to blame.

[@wajamal1]

You're right

[@texasgal2794]

As a retired nurse that had a 33-year career, I think the blame lies with the patient that died! He took other drugs that were not prescribed to him! Which caused intoxication mixed drug overdose! That is the patient's choice. As the comment below states....government should TOTALLY STAY OUT OF MEDICINE!!

[@sharonwhite4847]

A whole generation is suffering needlessly because of this government, boomers are left to wither away, Golden Years, my hinny.

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

Thank you! I agree 💯💯

[@paulablack1863]

He most likely didn't want to see his chronic pain patients to suffer in pain considering pain medication isn't given out anymore...

[@sumerallen-bone3390]

If I overdose on a bottle of Tylenol nobody is going to blame Walgreens for selling it to me. Also, if you don’t follow the instructions on medication that you know can cause an overdose then you should just be handed your Darwin Award at the pharmacy drive thru.

[@imustgoshopping6189]

90% of patients that overdose mix it with alcohol, cocaine or other substances as well. That is on them

[@zedellagentry527]

Exactly

[@zedellagentry527]

Now when you really have pain problems you cant find a dr to help ive had 57 surgeries 22 on my back I was born with spina bifida and severe scoliosis.Now im on suboxone for pain and it doesnt help much at all

[@sumerallen-bone3390]

@@zedellagentry527 I was diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia and then hyper mobility disorder and fibromyalgia. What is happening to this doctor is the same reason that instead of my pain doctor being able to give direct medication for pain, I am now receiving semi-experimental intravenous(ineffective) lidocaine drips and also, after trying to cook or clean, running to my back porch so I can cry without my husband seeing.

[@imustgoshopping6189]

@@zedellagentry527 suboxone is for opiate withdrawal..they prescribed it for your pain?

[@dylandannenmueller5086]

I've been on oxycodone since 2015 DAILY. I've always followed the directions on the bottle. Hence, im still here. Follow directions. It's not that hard.

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

Exactly ! Me too! But I've been on the med for 20 years. Opioids work! Period.

[@sunnyskye1106]

Soooooo he’s a fantastic doctor with weak patients. Addicts will be addicts. You MUST take responsibility for YOUR actions. This doctor was just trying to help. If you’re having problems with a medication, talk to your doctor about that too. High-chasers will abuse. Their bad choices aren’t his fault. They’ll make them without him.

[@jasmine855]

He has a duty of care but that can only go so far, he didnt force the pills down their throats , people make their own decisions.

[@wajamal1]

You're right

[@KJ_PhD]

I work in medicine. He’s not living up to his duty of care.

[@jasmine855]

@@KJ_PhD but hes also not a murderer.

[@endcapitalism5274]

@@jasmine855 True. Not a murderer, but certainly a very reckless and incompetent doctor, if not a clear cut drug dealer. You just don't trust what patients say, they lie all the time. He had so much evidence to take into account NOT to prescribe opioids to these addicts, yet he chose to ignore that evidence and even stated that he ordered the X-rays just for a cover up. Bottom line in medicine: neither cancer, nor fracture - no opioids. Prescribing opioids for reasons other than cancer or fracture/ surgery pain is malpractice.

[@jasmine855]

@@endcapitalism5274 for sure he is guilty of being a reckless doctor i agree, i just dont agree with how he is painted as a murderer when it was ultimatly the men's choice to take the pills.

[@kymx1975]

The drug manufacturers need to be held accountable as well. They are ultimately the ones profiting the most from all this death ☠️ and mayhem.

[@graykobain6001]

EXACTLY

[@bart4543]

How about people take responsibility for their own actions

[@maximillion4499]

Hope he stands his ground and gets clear 🙏

[@hfrt29]

This Dr shouldnt be accountable

[@hfrt29]

@Belltown Daisy oh shoot, really? Didnt kno. I lived in Huntington Long Island 20 years. Not far from Merrick . Never heard of him b4

[@j.g.bloodworth9837]

We need more doctors like Belfiore, he isn't at fault just because some junkies died.

[@butwereallsombdyspecial]

Agreed

[@leftypirate]

yup im an addict usually this shit pisses me off but he sounds sincere tbh

[@leftypirate]

@Belltown Daisy theres nothing worse then scumbags like you

[@hfrt29]

This is redickulous. People that take meds should be accountable for their addiction.

[@deannaw9128]

Oh my GOD. Come on now...REDICKULOUS? Jesus...scary...

[@dididothat2245]

I agree with his lawyer. The DEA has much bigger issues to deal with!!!!!!!! HUGE issues.

[@orionxtz2540]

I do NOT think this doctor is guilty.... he treated them as would any other doctor.... the way the patients took medication and other drugs were their OWN responsibility...

[@curvaceousstep3694]

i agree

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

People have to remember that when they count these prescriptions written, the patient goes to the dr once a month (usually) for the refill. So they count this as a new prescription for the same patient, same med, same dose. And how in the world is the dr supposed to know that someone is diverting or selling??? Ridiculous. When in the world are these addicts going to be held responsible? And just because someone takes opioids, it doesn't mean that they are addicted!

[@aCleverFishingPun]

As long as he warned his patients about the dangers of the medication then he should be able to prescribe them to anyone. Idc if they have pain or not. It should be your choice on whether or not you buy drugs

[@AT-hy9cq]

Well... I really can’t understand , why doctor is blamed? Doctor is right, his job is to prescribe medication based on the symptoms and let patient know about possible side effects. The patient responsibility is to follow the rules, and monitor his reaction. I been prescribed few times very strong pain killers.. I read about it, and took them only when It was needed, the remain I just didn’t use.. so its silly to blame doctor 🤷‍♀️

[@somethingaboutbeauty8245]

So let’s crunch some numbers here: They mentioned that this doctor prescribed approximately 600,000 pain pills over the course of 3 years. I’m going to use my situation where I had 2 orthopaedic surgeries & I was prescribed Percocet before & after my surgeries & here’s what I’ve calculated: Before & after my surgeries I was given *80* Percocet pills per month which would be a total of *960* pills each year ( 80 pills x 12 months ). Hypothetically speaking, if I were to take this same prescription for 3 years ( I didn’t actually do that but there’s many that have who needed to, legitimately, but I digress. ) this means I would’ve been prescribed a total of *2880* pills ( 960/year x 3 years ). So if I were to take the approximate amount of pills they said he prescribed in 3 years which was *600,000* & divide that by the number of pills that I, alone, was given which again was *2880* that would equal *208* ( approximately ). The number *208* represents the number of patients that he would’ve had to prescribe the same amount of pills that I was given in the span of 3 years in order to equal the amount of pills that they said he prescribed which was, once again, *600,000* in 3 years which is a very small drop in the bucket when you consider that there’s a crap ton of “pill mill” doctors that prescribe MILLIONS & MILLIONS of pills in a single year!!!!!!!! I DO apologize for the long post but I wanted to be VERY CLEAR about what I was going to say in defence of this doctor because once I did the math, they made it seem like he was was really pushing pills & 600,000 pills IS A LOT but once you divide this over the amount of time they mention in the video, it’s not that much AND most doctors have 500+ patients & sometimes more depending on where the doctor practices medicine & if he or she has practiced for a short or long period of time. If that IS the case, then that means the number of pills per patient ratio would be even less!!! I’d be suing for so many reasons if I were the doctor. Not all doctors are angels just because they wear white coats. People need to take responsibility for their own actions!!!!!

[@alexjayyy5811]

IT’S THE GOVERNMENTS FAULT FOR ALLOWING OPIODS TO BE MADE BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES,HOW CAN YOU BLAME A DOCTOR FOR A PERSON OVERDOSING,SHOULD TAKE AS IT SAYS ON INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOTTLE

[@princess1caitlin]

I’m on the doctors side on this one sorry.

[@brittanjawild8149]

Do they really think this Drug problem could be solved by this witch-hunt? Imagine to leave the addicts without their medication- that’s !!! bodily harm . The whole health system in the USA is not understandable for me . Get them help instead of cutting them suddenly from the substitute. And maybe the doctor saved more life do , than let them running wild in a withdrawal . Just my thoughts........

[@lisacundiff8029]

Many of those immediately cut off, went to the street and got heroin and have since overdosed and died..I knew some of them.

[@MichelleLyn84]

I work for a medical office and for years there has been a system in place where physicians can check to see if patients have been prescribed medication from any other physicians within the state anyhow. Some patients go out of state...but that’s a different story....physicians never ignore the urine tests and give warnings yes but those should be documented and a person is only given so many chances which are very little. Plus it’s unethical to prescribe any controlled drugs to someone with an alcohol abuse problem unless it’s to help that problem. Pain clinics and spine centers plus physical therapy exist for a reason.

[@plannergirljones2551]

It’s not the doctors fault,it the hiding of the companies denying the addiction

[@MichelleLyn84]

The opioid epidemic is nothing new, they’ve been putting new policies in place continuously over years. A doctor can’t even prescribe a certain quantity now because of laws that have changed.

[@raymaharaj4502]

That looks like Monk(Tony Shaloub) in the video caption. Lol.

[@marril96]

Here's an idea: if a doctor gives you a prescription medication, don't abuse it. If you do proceed to abuse the medication, it's your own fault. I used to abuse sleep medication, and it was absolutely my fault, not the doctor's. Same situation here. People need to take responsibility for their actions.

[@BenWinder108]

I know there is a drug epidemic but the law needs to stay out of medicine.

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

It's a heroin and fentanyl epidemic!!!!

[@sierrabennett837]

As someone who works in a pharmacy, DOCTORS need to be held accountable for their overprescribing of oxycodone. It’s so good to FINALLY see the blame and suspicion being placed where it needs to be.

[@JenniferMoleski]

As a citizen, I'm far harder on individuals. If you can't manage your freedom it'll be taken away. _Never mind. I forgot it's 2021._

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

Really? Are you the expert to decide if a dr is overprescribing??? This dr is a scapegoat, period. And opioids work! Period!!!

[@StampitisDP]

Why would he talk the same on and off camera if he was such a rogue doctor...??

[@silenttoxic707]

The end statement from the family member says everything about this case, Grieving family looking for someone to blame other than the person who willingly took the medication

[@MsSexyDiva4Lyfe]

And this is why you can go in the doc office with a broken back, leg cut off and a crack in your head....they prescribe ibueprofen 800..wtf thats gonna do??

[@ItzDavughna]

I’m on the doctors side period no questions asked

[@christinebleakney6544]

I get trying to prevent addiction and death. Do not make this an issue with ppl who have a serious painful disease, it is cruel to not treat ppl who are really in severe pain and have the proof to prove it. Or ppl like myself who is waiting for serious surgery, while waiting to complete all the requirements. That the insurance insist needs to be done before they approve it. This is a horrible situation to be put in causing Drs. to be terrified to give their patients treatment

[@KJ_PhD]

You’re a dope & know very little about the pharmaceutical industry then.

[@muchadoaboutnothing6196]

I wish my doctor were as compassionate. I have severe chronic pain and my doctor refused any pain management meds for years until I was near suicide. I did try other drs but they always accused me of dr shopping. Opioids are dangerous but the stigma they’ve received over the years have left legitimate patients with chronic pain in despair.

[@lisacundiff8029]

Yes, with some committing suicide because they can't live like that...in severe pain...no quality of life...

[@sharonwhite4847]

Every time I go to the Dr. I feel like a criminal, so I quit going, live with it until I can't, thank you Feds, from a senior.

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

Why did the dr deny to help you? I'm so sorry. A am a chronic pain patient as well. Opioids work! Period.

[@muchadoaboutnothing6196]

@@wideawakeandaware-22 my pain began when I was 15 due to a sports injury, and he said TENS and physical therapy was enough to manage my pain due to my age. The pain only got worst and finally gave me meds to manage my pain after a dr at my university years later gave me a temp Rx after I was hospitalized due to taking otc Tylenol by the handfuls in desperation, I was at a point where death was preferable to the sheer misery of enduring anymore pain. No one should needlessly suffer when the medicine to heal and help is known & available.

[@ninachkah13]

Damn I wish I met him a few years back.... I'm definitely gonna get a T-shirt that says Hi I am an addict like the lawyer suggested LMAO

[@harmdizzle1979]

Ive worked for doctors i suspected to be pill mills and IMO, this guy is NOT one of them. Pain doctors (like mental healthcare) treat symptoms based on something extremely subjective. Pain. One man's splinter is another man's gunshot wound. When are we going to start holding ADULT patients responsible for their own healthcare decisions? Before staring a new medication, i do a bunch of research to decide if the meds provide more benefits than risks. Since when are doctors, with hundreds of patients, supposed to know what they will do once they leave the office? Should they not treat people with tattoos? Minorities? Now we're getting into healthcare discrimination. Doctors can only implement safety policies in their practices, and be aware of tell tale signs of abuse... But after that, we NEED them to believe that what we say is happening to our bodies is what is actually happening top our bodies. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[@nathanhardy3187]

All this does is make it so much harder for pain patience. They already wanna give up on life and now crap like this makes them wanna give up so much faster!!

[@ra-ku3hn]

If they overdose its their own fault . Get addicted? Youre fault. Not the dr

[@imustgoshopping6189]

I lived through the South Florida pill mills 13 years ago. Shady pain clinics at every corner it was insane. I’m almost 10 years sober now. Most of the people that used back then or even worked at those clinics are sober working in the rehab industry now

[@thatshot7551]

Congratulations, that is just incredible to hear!

[@imustgoshopping6189]

@@thatshot7551 Thank you!

[@lisacundiff8029]

Unfortunately, alot are dead now too...when they weren't able to get their pills..they went to the street and got heroin and some overdosed and didn't make it.

[@mariahjohnson9041]

This poor innocent doctor ended up getting sentenced to 20 years in prison for this bullshit and he’s still there to this day 😡 what an injustice 🥺 If he got charged so should the sister and girlfriend 🤷‍♀️

[@raymondboyd1200]

0:56 no he was a human like the rest of us. And his status in life doesn't make it more or less awful, but it is good fodder for a story.

[@scummydummy]

In detroit we got real life gangster ass doctors pullin this shit way worse every day

[@godzilla8057]

I looked up some U.S. stats from the CDC and found these interesting: #1. The most recent drug overdose death stats I found were from 2018. They showed the total that year was 67,367. (Opioids were involved in 46,802 out of the total overdose deaths, which equals 69.5% or 128 per day). #2. The CDC reports that excessive alcohol use is the cause of more than 95,000 deaths per year in the U.S. (261 deaths per day).

[@wideawakeandaware-22]

Yes but they ties ILLEGAL FENTANYL AND HEROIN IN WITH THE LEGIT OPIOIDS PRESCRIBED!!! A sham!!! And a shame!

[@toriwissinger1075]

2,910 pills over the course of 7 months (roughly 210 days). 13 pills a day, spread out between pain killers, anxiety meds, and muscle relaxers. I worked in pharmacy and as a medtech for a long time. It is incredibly common to see scripts written for 1-2 pain killers 2-3 per day, up to as frequently as every 4-6 hours. Muscle relaxers are commonly prescribed as taking 1 every 4-6 hours. Anxiety meds can be written as 1-2 2-3 times per day with an additional at bed time. These numbers aren't extraordinary. I'm not saying this guy is a great doctor. I'm just saying this reporter is ridiculously dramatic and has no idea what goes into the care of people on the extreme end of chronic pain and anxiety.

[@Miss_Cherry]

Finally something "new" on this channel.

[@anubrakahn2970]

You're joking right? This is from 2017 and the "update" link in the description is from 2018. Spoiler: He was convicted.

[@christoph1596]

I hate when people try to act like drug addicts trying to cop drugs from doctors are seen as the victims. They’re not “victims.” 🙄

[@deborahjaneapperley1004]

Pharmaceutical companies should be held accountable for pushing and paying doctors for giving high doses of these drugs

[@sharonwhite4847]

exactly!

[@jazzmeineee]

in a perfect world where there aren't any addicts, yeah, I can see what he's trying to get people to understand. but, this isn't a perfect world, and there are addicts, and you cannot handle medicine freely

[@harmdizzle1979]

@@JosephKulik2016 i agree. The government is so quick to find someone to pin the opioid epidemic on that they cant see that they are a HUGE part of the problem. In countries with fair economic opportunity, where drug use has been decriminalized, instances of substance abuse is exponentially decreased

[@dubbledap]

Coming from a former junkie...WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR ACTIONS AND ADDICTIONS...NOT THE DOCTORS WE DUPE INTO BELIEVING US!!!! IT'S NOT HIS FAULT THEY MISUSED A PRESCRIPTION....THAT'S 100% ON THE ADDICT!! FAMILIES NEED TO STOP TRYING TO PLACE BLAME ON SOMEONE ELSE!!

[@lspbeautea4791]

Yup, 💯 agree. The doctors are only doing their job .

[@g-forcesa1591]

This doctor came prepared man. Wow!

[@italiadude1972]

I side with the doctor I'm sorry, if you're going to abuse the medication then that's your problem! Why is he responsible? If I walk into an office and ask for 500 pills and you just hand them over then yes the doctor is a dealer but what this doctor did was legit.

[@brandyschofield1163]

As soon as the doctor prescribes medication to a patient, I feel that it is now in the patient’s hand to follow the directions of how they take the medication. Selling it taking more than you should or using someone else’s medication is deadly. So when a patient comes back into your office sooner than they need to for a refill or they have an extravagant excuse as to why they need more medication, it is then up to the professional a.k.a. the doctor to see those red flags and do a little bit more digging into this person‘s need for the medication. Because once the patient leaves the office it is now out of the doctors hands what that patient seeks in that medication and how they choose to use it.

[@KevinTheMatine9293]

Pt.1 Missing teen found dead after watching Crimewatchdaily for 24/7.

[@jr5993]

Imagine this guy giving out jabs for the NHS.

[@memorandom7484]

I mean, he's no Harold Shipman. . .

[@Vampirita447]

Uhhhhh. Do you know how bad it looked that you said "he killed 2 of his patients, ONE of them a marine" as if his life mattered more than the other? Yikes.

[@nicolerubertelli187]

This is insane BTW

[@Msmreadaloud]

He got 23 years in JAIL!!!! Justice has been served!

[@adamstl3148]

Idk...he has a good chance at walking away from this cause this case has too many holes and not enough to prove malicious intent.

[@anybodynobody1827]

love the slow walk through the parking lot. you can just see the camera man now: "yeah if you just start way over here by the grass and not near any vehicle and just start walking stoically towards the door but go around the car and dont look at us. we want it to look like you walked to work today. thatll be a great shot"

[@Smooth_Brained_Hot_Takes]

I've had doctors refuse my request for refills on prescriptions that I was given by my usual GP when I haven't been able to get an appointment with my usual GP because he's busy or on holiday or whatnot, just because they disagree with him or "don't think medication is a solution". The consequences of me not having my pills for a couple of days means I go into withdrawal from my medication, as well as the conditions that those pills are combating comes back twice as bad. The opposite of this doctor are the doctors that think EVERY patient is a junkie trying to score pills. Unfortunately due to a few people having to doctor shop, forge prescriptions, etc. because of poor to sometimes no support for addicts means that the genuine patients, that greatly outnumber addicts, don't receive proper care. The entire medical field with relation to patient pharmaceutical needs has gradually become more and more paranoid, to the detriment of genuine patients. Either fix the addiction services, believe your patient, or preferably, do both those things.

[@jen2202]

Well if he’s giving them out to just anyone then maybe he should chill

[@michellelowe7082]

I was addicted to pain meds and got them from my doctor and the only person responsible for my addiction is ME! Nobody forced me to take them ,their are clear warnings on each bottle and they also give u a paper telling you all of the warnings.

[@emilyblu2906]

That doctor was concerned about one thing,$$$ and that’s all.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

Sadly true.

[@thatoneoddartist6488]

Not another doctor...

[@bstebbi]

no one: the defense attorney: oKaY pRoVe iT!!!!!!!

[@ilianalopez7734]

They’re making this man the monster and no the monsters are the ones accusing him of murder. He’s a doctor that’s what they do. If you have pain they prescribed something for pain. So if patients are miss using the prescription they would have to also sue the pharmacy. Why? Because apparently the medication Instructions were not clear. You may not agree with me and that’s fine. But as they say everyone is entitled to an opinion.

[@melaniedawn9255]

If you jail him you’ll have to jail them all as well as those manufacturers. Every single Dr. is a pill pusher.

[@Noneofyourbusiness57817]

I know this doctor and he’s a good man although definitely naive. It’s not his fault junkies were abusing prescriptions

[@nicolerubertelli187]

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

[@poiisonivy8937]

Same to you Sweetheart!!! 🥰🌹💖🌹🥰

[@filedinxpm7123]

Thank you...same to you🌟😄

[@qmaria26]

This is a stretch. The Doc makes some good points.

[@imranbaigmd]

After pt leaves the office they have to be responsible for taking the medication as prescribed. But when patient dies, doctor is to be blamed, instead of patient has its own responsibility

[@occamsrazor9183]

I think he's fine, many people fake pain, many also abuse the drugs...

[@louies4959]

Dose ANYBODY know how to give my story to crime watch daily I really need there help in a murder please comment the steps on how to go about giving my story thank you!

[@user-to2gh7sg3l]

Imagine having a Dad that looked and behaved like that..... What a total tool.

[@juliaherbet2063]

That's ridiculous. How can a doctor be responsible for how someone abuses their meds. I do take those strong medicine for chronic back pain. If I OD how is it doctors problem.

[@Babebubby]

Stick to your guns doc! Don't plea! I was on pain meds for almost 20 years & it worries me that this is going to go into prohibition like alcohol & weed! Although I'm no longer on pain meds I personally believe we've the right to have relief from pain! Too much regulation is so harmful!

[@TomikaKelly]

I'm confused as to why patients aren't responsible with their LEGALLY OBTAINED pills? THEY CHOSE to abuse their medications. 🙄 ACCOUNTABILITY, people, ACCOUNTABILITY.

[@LouiseStastny]

Many people are in pain..some pain is severe and chronic...even morphine doesn't stop it. The ones that need pain meds are being blamed for the ones who don't need it but abuse it instead. I'm glad this doctor understands.