This is getting too Orwellian for me

[retdetsgt]

I worked drugs for several years and I never saw a need for this. If someone has a legitimate prescription, it's none of their business. They already have a data base, let them get a search warrant or subpoena the info if they have an ongoing case.

Sheriffs want lists of patients using painkillers

Sheriffs in North Carolina want access to state computer records identifying anyone with prescriptions for powerful painkillers and other controlled substances.

The state sheriff's association pushed the idea Tuesday, saying the move would help them make drug arrests and curb a growing problem of prescription drug abuse. But patient advocates say opening up people's medicine cabinets to law enforcement would deal a devastating blow to privacy rights.

Allowing sheriffs' offices and other law enforcement officials to use the state's computerized list would vastly widen the circle of people with access to information on prescriptions written for millions of people. As it stands now, doctors and pharmacists are the main users.


Nearly 30 percent of state residents received at least one prescription for a controlled substance, anything from Ambien to OxyContin, in the first six months of this year, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly 2.5 million people filled prescriptions in that time for more than 375 million doses. The database has about 53.5 million prescriptions in it.

Sheriffs made their pitch Tuesday to a legislative health care committee looking for ways to confront prescription drug abuse. Local sheriffs said that more people in their counties die of accidental overdoses than from homicides.

For years, sheriffs have been trying to convince legislators that the state's prescription records should be open to them.

"We can better go after those who are abusing the system," said Lee County Sheriff Tracy L. Carter.

Others say opening up patients' medicine cabinets to law enforcement is a terrible idea.

"I am very concerned about the potential privacy issues for people with pain," said Candy Pitcher of Cary, who volunteers for the nonprofit American Pain Foundation. "I don't feel that I should have to sign away my privacy rights just because I take an opioid under doctor's care." Pitcher is receiving treatment for a broken back.

The ACLU opposed a bill in 2007 that would have opened the list to law enforcement officials, said ACLU lobbyist Sarah Preston. The organization would likely object to the new proposal.

"What really did concern us is the privacy aspect," she said. Opening the record to more users could deter someone from getting necessary medicine because of the fear that others would find out, she said, "particularly in small towns where everybody knows everybody."

The state started collecting the information in 2007 to help doctors identify patients who go from doctor to doctor looking for prescription drugs they may not need, and to keep pharmacists from supplying patients with too many pills. But only about 20 percent of the state's doctors have registered to use the information, and only 10 percent of the pharmacies are registered.

Many chain pharmacies aren't connected to the Internet, said Andy Ellen, a lobbyist for the N.C. Retail Merchants Association. Pharmacy computers work on closed systems so they won't be vulnerable to viruses that could slow or crash their networks. Pharmacies are trying to figure out a way around that obstacle to the controlled-substance prescriptions list, he said.

Bettie Blanchard, a woman from Dare County whose adult son is recovering from addiction to prescription drugs, said doctors should be required to consult the list when prescribing controlled substances.

She also wants doctors to get more education on prescribing narcotics. Doctors should be required to tell patients that the medicine they are being prescribed can be addictive, she said.

William Bronson, who works in a drug control unit at DHHS, presented what could be a compromise to the sheriffs' request - allowing local drug investigators to request information related to ongoing investigations, but not let them go in to the computer records themselves.

Eddie Caldwell, lobbyist for the N.C. Sheriff's Association, said the level of access to the data is up for discussion.

"There's a middle ground where the sheriffs and their personnel working on these drug abuse cases get the information they need in a way that protects the privacy of that information," he said. "No one wants every officer in the state to be able to log on and look it up."

Sheriffs want lists of patients using painkillers - Crime/Safety - NewsObserver.com

[greg72982]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see doctors and LE having access to what medications I'm on as an invasion of privacy, but then again maybe I'm used to not having privacy working in the LE field...

[NavyGuyMA3]

Funny you mention it because I just finished reading 1984 for the third time...

I really don't think people realize we're losing a lot of freedoms with advances in technology and the "big government."

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." -James Madison

[NavyGuyMA3]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see doctors and LE having access to what medications I'm on as an invasion of privacy, but then again maybe I'm used to not having privacy working in the LE field...

How do you not see the government being up your @$$ in your day to day life as not being an invasion of privacy?

[greg72982]

How do you not see the government being up your @$$ in your day to day life as not being an invasion of privacy?

I'm a cop, it already is...

Besides I've filled out so many police applications I'm pretty sure the whole state of PA already knows my life story.

[retdetsgt]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see doctors and LE having access to what medications I'm on as an invasion of privacy, but then again maybe I'm used to not having privacy working in the LE field...

I don't mind doctors having access, that can be important to my health. I don't see what business it is of LE if my doctor gives me a prescription for Vicodan after a minor surgery.

[retdetsgt]

I'm a cop, it already is...

Besides I've filled out so many police applications I'm pretty sure the whole state of PA already knows my life story.

There's a difference in what you freely give out and what they take without your consent. As a cop, I was more protective of my privacy than I was beforehand.

[retdetsgt]

I really don't think people realize we're losing a lot of freedoms with advances in technology and the "big government.

Apathy is dangerous. I hate that expression, "If you have nothing to hide, what are you worried about?". I have nothing illegal in my house, but I don't want government official searching it just because they want to or are curious.

[Trip]

As all my moderate and liberal friends will tell you, I come across as a "pro-police state, right-wing nut," but here's where even I have to start to draw the line. Not because I have anything to hide, because I've never done drugs and have never even needed drugs for injuries -other than like motrin, and so when you guys are throwing around names of drugs, I'm pretty ignorant - but because there is a very fine balance between security and privacy. I've been pretty right wing when it comes to leaning more toward security to protect against terrorism, but I do believe in the right balance. I also can't even see conservatives on the Supreme Court upholding that.

[NavyGuyMA3]

We should work on getting the Constitution legalized again

[pac201]

Several states already allow LE access, I know, I live in one and am next door to the other...

I'm sure we're not the only 2 out of the 50...


edited to add; this is access without a search warrant.

[Cat_Doc]

Several states already allow LE access, I know, I live in one and am next door to the other...

I'm sure we're not the only 2 out of the 50...


edited to add; this is access without a search warrant.

The DEA has always had access and do fairly numerous checks on someone receiving pain scipt from multiple doctors.

[Trip]

The DEA has always had access and do fairly numerous checks on someone receiving pain scipt from multiple doctors.

I don't object to that. I don't know if it's illegal to get multiple prescriptions but it's wrong in my book, especially if the DEA finds that it's repeat behavior.

[retdetsgt]

The DEA has always had access and do fairly numerous checks on someone receiving pain scipt from multiple doctors.

I have no problem with that. That's their job, they also can check to see what physicians are writing the most script too. I have a problem with local LE being able to access my medical records on a curiosity basis.

[wisco]

I'm not on any medication, however I too think it is absolutely no business of anyone but my doctor to have access to my "scrips".

I would throw a fit.