Brown Announces Investigation into Prescription-Drug Ring Linked
to Former Child Star Corey Haim
Los Angeles-In an ongoing crackdown on prescription-drug fraud and abuse,
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that his office is
investigating an "illegal and massive prescription-drug ring" linked to the
actor Corey Haim.
An unauthorized prescription under the former child
star's name was found during an ongoing investigation of fraudulent
prescription-drug pads ordered from a vendor in San Diego.
"Corey Haim's
death is yet another tragedy linked to the growing problem of prescription-drug
abuse," Attorney General Brown said. "This problem is increasingly linked to
criminal organizations, like the illegal and massive prescription-drug ring
under investigation. It's a serious public health problem."
The
prescription-drug ring under investigation operates by ordering
prescription-drug pads from authorized vendors using stolen doctor identities.
The pads are then either sold on the street to prescription-drug addicts or to
individuals who are paid to fill the prescription and then sell the drugs on the
underground market. The doctor whose name is printed on the form is usually
unaware that his or her identity has been stolen for this purpose.
The
investigation has thus far uncovered more than 4,500 to 5,000 fraudulent
prescriptions linked to the fraud ring in Southern California.
The San
Diego Regional Pharmaceutical Narcotic Enforcement Team (RxNET) is conducting
the investigation. RxNET is a cooperative effort of the California Department of
Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement; Department of Health Care Services and
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. RxNET also works in conjunction with other
state, federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Prescription-drug
abuse is a growing problem. Brown's office has investigated and filed charges in
more than 200 cases-against both physicians who have abused their trust and
patients who go from doctor to doctor in search of drugs.
In February
2009, Brown filed charges against Dr. Lisa Barden of Rancho Cucamonga, who stole
the identities of her patients to obtain highly addictive painkillers. The San
Bernardino County District Attorney is prosecuting the case.
In April
2009, Brown's office arrested five college-age individuals who conspired to
fraudulently obtain thousands of prescription drugs. The San Diego County
District Attorney is now prosecuting the case.
In addition to costing
the state millions of dollars each year, prescription-drug abuse can have
serious public safety consequences, as many of the top abusers hold down regular
jobs including truck drivers, transit operators and medical practitioners.
California is at the forefront of technology that makes it more
difficult for criminals to operate prescription-drug rings. Brown's office has
introduced significant technology upgrades to the state's
prescription-monitoring program, known as CURES, by creating an accessible,
online database. The database is a critical tool in assisting law enforcement in
investigating these types of crimes.
For more information on the
California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and California's
prescription-drug monitoring system visit: http://ag.ca.gov/bne/CURES.php.
For doctors and other authorized healthcare and prescription-drug
providers, visit www.ag.ca.gov for more
information on CURES.
