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DEA: Overdose deaths from RX abuse number at least 6 in Midland County this year
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| Resident DEA Agent in Charge Dante Sorianello |
By Jimmy Patterson
Online Editor
Law enforcement officials, drug and alcohol counselors, health professionals and educators say they are keeping a watchful eye on an alarming trend in drug circles: prescription drug abuse.
Dante Sorianello, Resident Agent in Charge of the Midland office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, noted that local drug officials are aware of at least six deaths this year alone from overdoses of prescription drugs taken either straight up or mixed with other narcotics.
Sorianello made his comments at a meeting of Bishop Michael Pfeifer's Communitywide Drug Taskforce, held at the MISD Central Office. The meeting featured a mix of civic, church and governmental leaders in town.
Sorianello said that although he doesn't have the data necessary to show an actual rise in prescription drug abuse, many others in the room, including counselors, health educators and law enforcement, agreed that such drug abuse is becoming a major concern locally.
Sorianello also told the group that while certainly one of the roots of the prescription drug problem is children in the home who steal their parents' prescriptions and either take the drug or sell it for a profit, they are concerned that some physicians have been lax in their dispensing.
"Mostly, that has to deal with a physician who will automatically renew a prescription over the phone without having seen the patient for awhile, but not always," Sorianello said.
Sheriff Gary Painter also added that the ease at which American citizens can obtain a prescription for a pain killer such as Xanax or methodone by simply traveling to Mexico is startling.
Sorianello, who before being transferred to Midland worked with the DEA in Bogota, Colombia for six years, also said that with most of the cocaine flowing into the United States coming from Colombia, and most of the Colombian cocaine under control of Central American terrorist organizations, a good chance exists that money spent on cocaine by American drug users goes to support those terrorist efforts in Colombia.
Sorianello noted that annually, more people die in America from cocaine use than were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
The most prevalent drug dangers faced in the Permian Basin, Sorianello said, continues to be cocaine, the always rampant marijuana use, and a methamphetamine problem that "goes up and down.
"More recently, it has been prescription drugs," he reiterated. "It's not something you see as much, but we are aggressively pursuing it."
Sorianello said community-based drug prevention programs like the Midland Coalition, the Bishop's Taskforce and others are "critical to the job the DEA does," adding that law enforcement is not going to beat the drug problem. It will be done on a community level by citizens.
Sheriff Gary Painter added that it costs Midland taxpayers $54.90 per day for the care and feeding of each offender in the Midland County Detention Center. With 304 in lock-up Wednesday morning, Midlanders spent $16,689.60 Wednesday alone to maintain the jail population. Painter said that 90-95 percent of all offenders housed in his jail are there either directly or indirectly because of drugs, drug abuse or alcohol abuse.
Dante Sorianello, Resident Agent in Charge of the Midland office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, noted that local drug officials are aware of at least six deaths this year alone from overdoses of prescription drugs taken either straight up or mixed with other narcotics.
Sorianello made his comments at a meeting of Bishop Michael Pfeifer's Communitywide Drug Taskforce, held at the MISD Central Office. The meeting featured a mix of civic, church and governmental leaders in town.
Sorianello said that although he doesn't have the data necessary to show an actual rise in prescription drug abuse, many others in the room, including counselors, health educators and law enforcement, agreed that such drug abuse is becoming a major concern locally.
Sorianello also told the group that while certainly one of the roots of the prescription drug problem is children in the home who steal their parents' prescriptions and either take the drug or sell it for a profit, they are concerned that some physicians have been lax in their dispensing.
"Mostly, that has to deal with a physician who will automatically renew a prescription over the phone without having seen the patient for awhile, but not always," Sorianello said.
Sheriff Gary Painter also added that the ease at which American citizens can obtain a prescription for a pain killer such as Xanax or methodone by simply traveling to Mexico is startling.
Sorianello, who before being transferred to Midland worked with the DEA in Bogota, Colombia for six years, also said that with most of the cocaine flowing into the United States coming from Colombia, and most of the Colombian cocaine under control of Central American terrorist organizations, a good chance exists that money spent on cocaine by American drug users goes to support those terrorist efforts in Colombia.
Sorianello noted that annually, more people die in America from cocaine use than were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
The most prevalent drug dangers faced in the Permian Basin, Sorianello said, continues to be cocaine, the always rampant marijuana use, and a methamphetamine problem that "goes up and down.
"More recently, it has been prescription drugs," he reiterated. "It's not something you see as much, but we are aggressively pursuing it."
Sorianello said community-based drug prevention programs like the Midland Coalition, the Bishop's Taskforce and others are "critical to the job the DEA does," adding that law enforcement is not going to beat the drug problem. It will be done on a community level by citizens.
Sheriff Gary Painter added that it costs Midland taxpayers $54.90 per day for the care and feeding of each offender in the Midland County Detention Center. With 304 in lock-up Wednesday morning, Midlanders spent $16,689.60 Wednesday alone to maintain the jail population. Painter said that 90-95 percent of all offenders housed in his jail are there either directly or indirectly because of drugs, drug abuse or alcohol abuse.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
robert lester wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:52 AM:
" Supply and demand, one of the oldest conjuctures of commidity in history. If "they can't get it or If it is'nt needed", then the problem is solved. You must have both for the disease to spread. "
j.b. wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:07 AM:
" i am tiered of everyone that claims marijuana is dangerous,,,get you facts strait,,,if you would do just a tiny bit of research you would find out that marijuana is the safest substance know to man,,,,it is not dangerous,,,,there has never ever been a case of overdose,,,and know one has ever died from it ever,,,it is physically imposable to smoke or ingest enough marijuana to die from,,,,you can die from eating to many potatoes,,,or even if you drink to much water,,,,but never with marijuana,,,,,stop the lies about marijuana and report the facts,,,,wake up America,,,,marijuana was only made illegal to keep white women from sleeping with negros,,,,if you don't believe me check it out for your self "
mary wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:59 AM:
" Thank you j.b. You just proved that marijuana makes you stupid! "
yeshua wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:06 AM:
" And kaneh bosem aka canibis aka marijauana was a prescribed ingredient for the ointment the rabbis used to annoint the son of mari and juan. "
Jerry wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:00 PM:
" Who is doing what? No one is doing anything to get kids off of drugs. Trim the fat and stop paying high dollars to these so called drug counselors, probation officers etc. I have a son and his friends who all do drugs; I have lost this kid to his friends and the street. He gets caught in the streets after curfew, with drugs and high, with alcohol, marij and cig's and he is taken to Culver. He gets slapped on the hand and given community service in which they never fulfill with no consequences. Then it happens again and the process is repeated. They will test positive for drugs and nothing is done. Ask Mark Shaw what he does to his Juvies who test positive for drugs. Better yet let me tell you. He does nothing! He changes their curfew to 10pm... and never follows up to where they are, its madness and a waste of mine and your tax money. "
jb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:28 PM:
" do your research mary,,,,you just proved how stupid you are this is the exact quote used by Harry J. Anslinger when he brought it up to the us senate in in 1936 i believe "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."
"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."
"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."
"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"
"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."
"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind." ,,,,,,,now who is stupid mary,,,,,learn a little bit about what your saying before you start running your mouth "
"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."
"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."
"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"
"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."
"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind." ,,,,,,,now who is stupid mary,,,,,learn a little bit about what your saying before you start running your mouth "
CG wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:59 PM:
" j.b.: I can't believe we have soldiers fighting for our right to free speech when that freedom produces something as stupid as what you said!
Where are you getting your "tiny bit of research" from? It sounds like that's all you put into it, just a tiny bit. Either that or your a pothead that's just making stuff up.
I've seen too many people throw their lives away to substance abuse, namely marijuana. Go up to a single mother raising her children on her own because their dopefiend father would rather be high, and tell them exactly what you just said. Marijuana addiction is serious.
If you should stop smoking weed, you may realize that you are an idiot. An idiot that cannot spell, cannot use punctuations, and does not know how to use good grammar. "
Where are you getting your "tiny bit of research" from? It sounds like that's all you put into it, just a tiny bit. Either that or your a pothead that's just making stuff up.
I've seen too many people throw their lives away to substance abuse, namely marijuana. Go up to a single mother raising her children on her own because their dopefiend father would rather be high, and tell them exactly what you just said. Marijuana addiction is serious.
If you should stop smoking weed, you may realize that you are an idiot. An idiot that cannot spell, cannot use punctuations, and does not know how to use good grammar. "
jb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:06 PM:
" ok no name calling,,,,you just prove my point,,,,,what i said are facts,,,,these come from UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Drug Enforcement Administration
In The Matter Of
MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING PETITION
Docket No. 86-22
OPINION AND RECOMMENDED RULING, FINDINGS OF
FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
FRANCIS L. YOUNG, Administrative Law Judge
DATED: SEPTEMBER 6, 1988
and a quote from Harry J. Anslinger as he petitioned the us senate in 1936 or 37 not sure-"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."
"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."
"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."
"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"
"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."
"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."
i dont feel that i am stupid because i know the facts and they are available to all if you would take the time to investigate something you know nothing about instead of just assuming that you know what is true
thank you for proving my point mary
yours truly John B. Winters "
Drug Enforcement Administration
In The Matter Of
MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING PETITION
Docket No. 86-22
OPINION AND RECOMMENDED RULING, FINDINGS OF
FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
FRANCIS L. YOUNG, Administrative Law Judge
DATED: SEPTEMBER 6, 1988
and a quote from Harry J. Anslinger as he petitioned the us senate in 1936 or 37 not sure-"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."
"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."
"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."
"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"
"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."
"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."
i dont feel that i am stupid because i know the facts and they are available to all if you would take the time to investigate something you know nothing about instead of just assuming that you know what is true
thank you for proving my point mary
yours truly John B. Winters "
jb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:25 PM:
" ok cg,,,,you are so smart,,,,i have proven my facts,,,,,and have given you my name,,,,,i will debate you on this issue publicly any time,,,and i will humiliate you in front of the world,,,,,for your information,,,,i may not know how to spell or use correct punctuation,,,,but i do know a lot about this subject,,,,you see i am not just a pot head,,,,i use for medical purposes,,,,it takes the place of 4 very serious and dangerous drugs that i would have to take otherwise that have very dangerous side and deadly side effects,,,and marijuana does not,,,,so yes this issue is very serious and i have done my research,,,,,,,,so dear cg i challeng you to a public debate on this issue unless you don't want to be humiliated in public
yours truly,,,,John B. Winters "
yours truly,,,,John B. Winters "
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Bill Simpson wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:25 PM:
I reported this to the Odessa Police Department to no avail. They did nothing for months while this "Dr. Feelgood" continued his reign of terror.
I eventually contacted News West 9 to pitch this story to their news director. He immediately recognized the problem and the danger to the public.
However, the DEA office and FBI office caught wind of our efforts and threatened to have me arrested. For what? Interfering with a Federal investigation, obstruction of justice, etc., etc., etc...
This while numerous drug addicted citizens of the Permian Basin overdosed on drugs from a Doctor who was illegally dispensing prescriptions. The Feds had been investigating this doctor's office for two years at that point. Did they intervene? No, they sat back, doing whatever it is our Federal employees do all day.... Mostly nothing. Instead, they threatened the freedom of a concerned citizen who reported the illegal activity to the agency of competent jurisdiction. Fortunately, I recorded the conversation from the FBI and DEA, and I was spared their wrath. "