Stories Of Negligence

All Methadone deaths are a form of negligence. Whether it is used for heroin clinics, detoxification from prescribed opiates, assistance and control of chronic pain, or street use. No one should have to die from a medication under such variable situations. These recorded deaths are not from allergic reactions, they are from an individuals inability to act and react to a very unstable drug.
Peolpe are not forwarned prior to being given this drug for any of it's purposes on how deadly it can be, this in turn has led to thousands of deaths. Medical professionals truly believe that Methadone is the "New Wonder Drug". When a patient is not informed of potential hazards prior to a treatment "THAT IS NEGLIGENCE'.
Since Methadone is widely being used for pain management now more and more patients are being sent home with large anoumts of this drug in pill form. This increases the potential for sharing and street sales and use. Drug dealers love Methadone because the cost is extremely low (180 pills cost approximately $40.00+). In some areas Methadone can go for $20.00 a pill, this has a high potential for an extreme increase in street sales to people that can die from just one pill. There are documented cases of deaths from just one (1) 10 mg pill. Because people are not informed of possible death, careless placement and storage of this drug has led to innocent cases of consumption that led to death. EXAMPLE: In a local small town this past January a young man died after his girlfriend took a couple of Methadone pills out of her mother's bottle (thought they would just get high that night). Unfortunately when he laid down and went to sleep he didn't wake up. Death was caused by just one (1) dose of Methadone. All this is "NEGLIGENCE". If the mother had known how lethal this drug could be would she have placed it in a more secure place? The various senarios are endless but these deaths are preventable.
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ROBYN H. after having a needle biopsy of her lung, Robyn went home. She progressively felt sick and uncomfortable. The doctors office had closed, so family members called the local emergency room for guidance. They were told that if she felt that bad for her to come to the hospital. Family members took Robyn to the ER at once. She was not treated as a priority case and after a longer then necessary wait she was taken to an exam room. A few test were performed and as she laid awaiting relief for her complaints she was accused of only being there because she was looking for pain medication. Robyn had no history of pretending to need pain medication or being addicted to any opiates. All this time her symptoms became more stressful, yet she was ignored because of the doctor and staffs assumption of why she was there. After a few hours someone finally looked at her chest x-rays. Robyn had a collapsed lung. All her symptoms were real but the way she was treated could have caused her death.
Increasingly medical professionals are assuming that everyone is a drug addict. This is an increasing problem but adequate observation before assumption can assist medical professionals in weeding through the real patients and the phonies.
This is "NEGLIGENCE".
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STEVEN B. On May 25th, 2007 Steven was scheduled for surgical removal of several kidney stones. He had been suffering for over a year with flare-ups of pain and discomfort. This usually meant a trip to the emergency room and a referral to a specialist. Steven always had to postpone his visit to the specialist because his wife had been ill for along time. Since they had no medical insurance, his priority was with his wife's medical needs and his job. Steven always put his own needs last. His wife, Kathy, passed away on May 1, 2007 after months of not being properly diagnosed with pancreatitis (no medical insurance). Only after a couple of weeks after her death his ailment became overwhelming. Finally, he took time for his own health issues and it was determined that the stones would have to be surgically removed right away. His doctor would not offer or provide the laser method (more cost, he had no insurance) which is much easier and better for the patient. On Friday, as he laid already prept for surgery in a pre-op waiting area of the operating room, his doctor approached him without compasion. He said, "Steven, you need to go to my office right now and pay a $1,000.00 down payment on my fee or I am not doing this surgery". Of course, it was impossible that he himself leave the O.R. area or that he have that kind of money under the circumstances. Steven was at a point that surgery had to be done as soon as possible, yet, this doctor could have cared less, his only concern was MONEY.
Steven's step daughter left the area and after awhile the doctor returned and proceeded to do his surgery. We are not sure of what was said or done but we are thankful Steven received the surgery he needed. He has been in more pain due to the type of procedure he had, versus the laser (remember no insurance). This will require him to take more time off to heal added to the time he needed as his wife was dying and after her death. Was Steven treated different because of his ability to pay? YES !!! and even the type of surgery was determined by him not having insurance. The doctor is located in Beaufort, SC and I wonder how many other patients will be treated both emotionally and physically due to their standards of living. Steven is a proud and honest man and would promptly make payments for any services rendered. It is a shame this doctor did not treat him as such.
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Mothers Against Medical Abuse. Org (MAMA.Org)

Helping to Stop Rx, Methadone Deaths and Abuse