News
Sheriff Weighs In on Drug Use in Sheridan County
While he was a recent guest on our news talk show Public Pulse, Sheridan County Sheriff Allen Thompson was asked about the severity of the drug problem in Sheridan County. The Sheriff said that there are a lot of factors that play into the answer to that question.
Sheriff Thompson on if he feels that there’s been an increase in methamphetamine use.
Thompson said that prescription drug abuse remains an issue that law enforcement deals with regularly, despite a decrease in the amount of opioids that are being prescribed by doctors.
We’ll hear more from Sheriff Thompson in future stories throughout the week.
Sammy
February 4, 2020 at 6:37 pm
I agree with his comments but the only thing about putting pressure on doctor’s to not write prescriptions has lead to people buying off the street or getting into harder drugs, because the people that are really in need of some of the prescription medication don’t get it because doctor’s are pressured and threatened to the point they are scared to prescribe things. It could be looked at as a win loose situation. Should leave the doctoring to doctors and the crime fighting to law enforcement.
Penny
February 5, 2020 at 9:33 am
Agreed!
Paula
February 5, 2020 at 9:35 am
Exactly. Medication for chronic pain must not be ignored or minimized if a medical doctor or medical facility is being pressured by a community’s unspoken culture of drug abuse. If that is what is happening these concerns need to be elevated by the suffering patient to the patient’s insurance company, the U.S. Department of Justice for disability discrimination (chronic pain), and if necessary, to the state medical board which hold the license for the medical doctor and/or PA. Furthermore, by refusing to treat, which is what it is called, can also be addressed by filing complaints with Medicare and/or Medicaid. It may not be politically correct to file complaints but it is also the medical doctor’s responsibility per his/her oath to do no harm (by withholding pain medication to a suffering patient whose medical records support severe pain.
Penny
February 5, 2020 at 9:32 am
As a mother with an adult child who is an IV meth addict, its refreshing to hear that Sheridan is essentially below the curve when it comes to drug offenses in our community.
Patrick
February 5, 2020 at 9:36 am
Since most of the illicit opioids are coming from China via our unsecured southern border, it is hard to see that simply restricting the amount of pills in a legitimate prescription will have much impact. Now, GROSS overprescribing (like what happened in Billings recently) is criminal, and should be treated as such, as well as those caught selling their prescription narcotics, but keeping non-addicted, genuinely hurting people from having more than a few day’s pain pills is wrong. It can cause anxiety, and extra expense for some who just don’t have the money for multiple trips to the doctor and pharmacy. (And this from a guy who DESPISES opioids…)