Addicts Suspected of Hurting Animals to Get Pain Meds
- 11 years ago
A rash of veterinarian-issued pain killer usage among humans has led officials in Ohio to believe that individuals may be abusing animals to acquire the meds.
A rash of veterinarian-issued pain killer usage among humans has led officials in Ohio to believe that individuals may be abusing animals to acquire the meds.
As a result, they’ve instituted an educational program to ensure that vets are privy to the signs that animals have been harmed expressly for the purpose of securing a prescription.
A spokesman for the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association said that the animal doctor community is happy to help in any way they can, and that to date no evidence of such activities has been seen.
He also noted that the type of drugs officials are talking about aren’t typically prescribed for the kinds of injuries that result from abusive treatment.
Rather, they’re reserved for the treatment of long-term maladies like arthritis or for post-surgical recovery.
Veterinarians have also been asked to advise patients on the proper disposal of unused pain meds.
A representative from the Attorney General’s office still believes erring on the side of vigilance is the best approach. She said, “Doctors might have a preconceived notion of who might be a prescription drug abuser but this is the type of problem that could affect any family.”
A rash of veterinarian-issued pain killer usage among humans has led officials in Ohio to believe that individuals may be abusing animals to acquire the meds.
As a result, they’ve instituted an educational program to ensure that vets are privy to the signs that animals have been harmed expressly for the purpose of securing a prescription.
A spokesman for the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association said that the animal doctor community is happy to help in any way they can, and that to date no evidence of such activities has been seen.
He also noted that the type of drugs officials are talking about aren’t typically prescribed for the kinds of injuries that result from abusive treatment.
Rather, they’re reserved for the treatment of long-term maladies like arthritis or for post-surgical recovery.
Veterinarians have also been asked to advise patients on the proper disposal of unused pain meds.
A representative from the Attorney General’s office still believes erring on the side of vigilance is the best approach. She said, “Doctors might have a preconceived notion of who might be a prescription drug abuser but this is the type of problem that could affect any family.”