Pain doctors have been arrested for offenses like illegally prescribing prescription narcotics, criminal conspiracy, racketeering, and even murder. In March, Jeri Hassman, a pain doctor and rehabilitation specialist in Tucson, Ariz., was arrested by federal officials and charged with 362 counts of prescribing controlled drugs outside the normal practice of medicine.

Hassman, who faces up to 28 years in prison, said she follows good medical practice when prescribing pain medication to chronic sufferers.

"I never, ever imagined something like this was possible," said Hassman, 47. "When they came into the office to arrest me, it was like a bad movie that wouldn't end."

A growing number of pain specialists say they are being targeted by the DEA simply for supplying their patients with a large number of prescriptions for legal medications to treat their pain. The doctors accused the DEA of treating them like drug kingpins or crack dealers.

The DEA contends that only a handful of pain-management doctors have been convicted for prescribing drugs outside medical norms.

"There have been a number of very high-profile cases, and they have been a learning lesson to other physicians," said Elizabeth Willis, chief of drug operations for the DEA Office of Diversion Control. "We think doctors are much more aware of appropriate guidelines for prescribing OxyContin now."

Pain doctors are fighting back through the formation of the Pain Relief Network. The group is committed to fighting the "war" against pain specialists, pharmacists, and chronic-pain sufferers.

In April, the Pain Relief Network is planning a march in Washington, D.C., to protest the prosecutions in congressional hearings. The group has also hired a lawyer to appeal some of the convictions.

"Fifteen years of progress in treating patients in chronic pain could really be wiped away if these prosecutions continue," said Russell K. Portenoy, a pain specialist at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. "Treating people in pain isn't easy, and there aren't black-and-white answers. But what's happening now is that the medical ambiguity is being turned into allegations of criminal behavior. We have to draw a line in the sand here, or else the treatment will be lost, and millions of patients will suffer."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Deborah on 03 Jun 08 11:26 PM EDT

Cissy- first of all, it sounds like your friend should be on Medicare. Is she? If not, call your local social security office and get the paper work started, then find one of her long term physicians to sign papers. She's definately a candidate. I'm 49 on medicare for similar dx's. Find a "physiatrist." A special MD for pain and physical probs. Methadone is alot cheaper by the way. $60.00 for 400# pills. Great for pain & less addictive too. Good Luck!

Posted by crissy on 15 Mar 08 02:42 PM EDT

I forgot to add a few comments. Her pain comes from having, spinal stenosis, degenerated disc disease, every disc is herniated, fibromialgia, a serioius sinus conditon, allergies, osteophyte and osteoperosis. She is 47 years old and has the back of an 88 year old woman. Her neck, jaw and left arm are numb. She lost all musle and feeling in her left arm. Can someone out there please help this girl. She gets no help and is on disability. She worked for so many years and is a good citizen and the government can't even help her financially. This is another situation. If anyone out there is reading this she needs help fast. Like yesterday. She is frantic and I am trying everything I can to get her some kind of pain dr. Thank you. Sicerely, Crissy

Posted by CRISSY on 15 Mar 08 02:32 PM EDT

This is a horribel situation. My sister right now is trying to locate a dr. to help her. She is in cronic pain and surgery is not an option. A dr. located in Millbrook NY has been helping her out with pain medication. She was put on oxycotin 2 1/2 years ago. Unfortunaly it is the only medication that helps her pain. She is also so highly allergic to so many other medications that this was her only alternative. Now that she is on these meds. it is so hard to go off. The dr she was seeing closed his doors and never gave the patients another dr. to see. We have been trying to contact a dr. to help her with her pain and make sure she doesn't have withdrawls. We have called over 60 drs and pain centers. No one can help. She has one pill left and will end up in the hospital this weekend with withdrawls. We just don't know where to turn. Why do drs put you on this knowing it is so addictive? Why do street users have to abuse it and make it so difficult for the people in desperated need? Please help us.

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