What Happened
A physician assistant was found by the Maryland Board to have filled prescriptions for himself for narcotic analgesics and benzodiazepines while struggling with opiate dependency.
The Board found him guilty of providing professional services while using a controlled substance and of unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine. He received a three-year suspension, with all but ten months stayed, followed by five years of probation.
What the Record Shows
Suspension for three years effective 12/15/1999, with 26 months stayed (10 months active suspension), followed by probation for five years subject to terms and conditions
Why It Matters for Diversion Programs
This entry comes from a primary source rather than a federal enforcement release, and it is recorded as reported: The Board found that the practitioner, who had a problem with opiate dependency, filled prescriptions for himself for narcotic analgesics and benzodiazepines, and was found guilty of providing professional services while using a narcotic or controlled dangerous substance and being addicted to narcotics or CDS.. Board and news records are a lagging indicator - by the time a licensing authority or a reporter learns of a diversion, the diversion was normally detected internally first, which makes each entry a signal that inventory reconciliation, waste observation or dispensing oversight failed earlier.