Some state sheriffs want to know what drugs you're taking!

[amaranthe]

Unfortunately, this is no misprint! That was an ACTUAL headline yesterday! Apparently, there were several headlines with the same variation due to some deranged sheriffs in North Carolina who think they ought to have the permission to access the lists of names of pain patients (among many others) whose names are on the lists of those who take controlled medications.

This information was posted by Jameson on the NC board. However, it didnt get very many views there, (only 27 after about 6 hours, since it was a state board, instead of a mainline board. And since it is a pain issue too, I wanted to repost it here, to make sure everyone was aware of what they are trying to do there. After all, on the outside chance that this thing actually DID go thru there, there is a possiblity(hopefully, only a very slight possibility) that other states might also look at trying to implement something like it, (especially if it proves to be sucessful there!)

Here are two of the articles:

http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2010/09/09/some-state-sheriffs-want-to-know-what-drugs-youre-taking/ and here's another:

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/09/08/article/sheriffs_want_access_to_prescription_database#nrcRgn_PgBody

(Click on the comments on the news-record article and read those. They are very interesting!) There are also tons of other articles about this all over the web if you do more searches on it. I had no idea until I saw it on here on that forum. Thanks Jameson for bringing it to our attention! I pray it does not pass! I fear what the ramifications of such a thing could be!

[jameson77]

this article angered me beyond belief yesterday when it was brought to my attention.......i sat in front of it for an hour trying to calm myself down enough to post a comment.....but it didn't happen....yet. I keep seeing things on the local news around here and in our hometown paper about how prescription drug abuse is now the #1 crime in our area.......and now this article in the Raleigh Observer.

Being a diagnosed and established IC patient who literally needs all of my meds, including pain medication, to perform my daily tasks and go to work (when i can), I have a hard enough time talking (still) to my renowned IC doc about my pain meds....not to mention picking the meds up at our small town pharmacy...and now North Carolina law enforcement wants a list of patients taking these meds?!!! Theyve got to be kidding!!!!!

Thanks to Amaranthe for putting this here for all to see!!!! Hopefully people will weigh in and comment on this! I had no idea this proposal was even on the table for discussion!!!

[amaranthe]

You're welcome! Even though I dont even live in NC, I am seeing red! Like you, I also need my pain meds, and it is no one's but my Dr, and Pharmacist's business what I take! I can already seeing them targeting people there acting like it is for speeding or something so they can give them a DUI to crack down on what they think is prescription drug abuse when it is actually chronic pain patients who have been on the same dose of meds for years! This is what really frightens me!

Or the officer's loose lips (like telling his wife) and her telling her sister and them telling someone, etc. and the next thing you know someone has broken into my house and stolen my meds! I have alot more confidence in someone making $80,000 and up keeping their mouths shut (and more importantly, who would lose their license), than I do someone who could fairly easily go out and get a job making the same money. Also, the police dont do a good job of keeping "leaks" quiet right now anyway...I mean look at how much stuff ends up in the newspaper that they'd rather didn't! (Also, look at how much stuff ends up in there that suggests that someone inside is a paid informant!) Anyone else remember when MJ was arrested? Remember how fast all his most personal private info from jail was available online, (if I recall correctly, these were details as private as the color variations of in his private parts and whether or not they had vitaligo!)

Believe me, there is a blabber mouth like that in every police station. Some for money, and some for free. It is very disturbing to me, the whole thing.

[sailawaygrl]

I just wanted to add my anger and total amazement that they would even attempt this. It isn't the first time either. I live here in NC. The implications of this are huge. It goes so far beyond them knowing what we take. What if we are a victim of a crime, if the police are allowed to know what drugs I take so could the defense in a criminal case. Things like this could be used to discredit our testimony. Or what about minor traffic accidents that aren't even our fault, could they use this info to turn the table on us? This is beyond frightening to me.

I am just astounded that this could even be contemplated in the US. Yet things like this are even being discussed at the national level as well, starting with wanting Dr's to get more education on perscribing these meds....this could make even more Dr's leary of giving people the medication they need.

Sandra

[sailawaygrl]

I am suprised that more people haven't commented on this. This is very serious.

[izazen]

Its things like this that keep me from moving to NC.

Some of the cities are good, very good in fact but the smaller town and rural areas are scary.
No thanks!

[Sarojini]

As an NC resident, I'm furious about this as well. Slowly, groups are forming around here to protest this absolute bullsh*t and I plan on participating in one.

[jameson77]

Jen..........let Sandra and i know so we can join up with you!!! This is the biggest bunch of nonsense i've ever heard!!!! Too bad i don't have Dr. Evans' email.....i would LOVE to hear his thoughts on this!!!

Meredith

[Sarojini]

Will do... as far as I know, patient groups are just beginning, but when I get some concrete information I will post it for you! I imagine Dr. E is furious about this as well - I will be asking him the next time I see him!

[VickiB]

All I can do is shake my head in wonder. I may have to see if I still have my copy of 1984. (I hear that it's banned in many school systems & libraries)

Vicki

[sailawaygrl]

This isn't just NC, this sort of thing is beginning to happen everywhere. Our rights are slowly beginning to fade away. We have to open our eyes and see all the "little" things that can lead up to a huge loss of our privacy and God given rights, all in the name of "protecting us". Protecting us from who? The system? Vicki, I agree, this is big brother at his worst.



PS Judge Napalotano (sp?) on Fox news says this will NEVER make it past the supreme court, they may pass this legislation here but the supreme court will rule it unconstitutional. Let's hope so. I still can't believe they would even ask for such a thing.

[blazer 55]

I wonder if Sherrifs out on the roads doing their jobs really support this bill knowing that their right to prescripton privacy would be available publicly to lawyers when they are dragged into court over a dispute. Or better yet, be scrutinized by their superiors because they took an Ambien for a restless night after a horrible traffic accident that resulted in dealing with death. This type of legislation is just another invasion of all of our right to privacy.

[amaranthe]

I still cant believe there havent been more people who have viewed or commented on this than what there have been! I would have thought everyone would have been as outraged about this as we have been! I mean it only takes it passing in one state for it to move on to other states. We should all get behind this and support our NC neighbors to make sure this does not pass there!

[Daisy Mae]

Unfortunately big brother has gotten a lot bigger in the past 9 or 10 months. Very frightening for everyone, but for patients it's even worse.
My daughter lives in NC and has IC and I pray this doesn't come to pass.

[ICNDonna]

I sincerely doubt this will happen. It's contrary to the confidentiality laws.

Donna

[sailawaygrl]

We already have the "list" here in NC. It is available to pharmicist and doctors, the sherriffs want access to the already existing list. This law CAN get passed but will not withstand the supreme court scrutiny. The problem is that the list already exists so it is only a vote away. I wouldn't be surprised if it did get passed, nothing shocks me these days...our civil rights are being destroyed little by little. It disturbs me that they would even ASK for such a thing. My sherriff is up for re-election, he will win AGAIN but I will vote against him AGAIN.

[Julie324]

that would make me so mad if they did that here in Ny its only ppl bueness that you wanted it to be !!!!!

[bjwright]

I'm across the country, but if I were in your region, you can bet I'd be out there protesting mightily w/you.

PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR STATE NURSING ASSOCIATION/UNION AND SEE IF YOU CAN GET THEM ON BOARD! I'm in California and I've seen what the CNA has done for patient advocacy. Here's hoping the NC group is as pro-active.

Best wishes to all NC and every IC/PFD/CPP patients.

[Zygala87]

I agree with Donna. I doubt this would hold up in any court in the land. My Doctor would not tell me one thing about my Husband's health unless my Husband told him to please do so. This is insane. Unbelieveable they would even try such a thing. There comes a point where one must just take a stand and say no more Big Brother. Dear GOD what is happening with human rights in our Country. Ziggy

[tigger_gal]

this seems like he wants rights to harassment. If in the event that someone is arrested on drugs charge they can go back on the controlled substance list and see who is taking what and see if a patient may be dealing. Its wrong, and I pray this stupid idea is shot down.