As part of an investigation into prescription drug abuse in the state, Ohio law enforcement officials and workers’ compensation bureau investigators have conducted a raid on the offices of a doctor in the state’s workers’ compensation system.
Ohio officials previously announced a crackdown on what has been called a prescription drug abuse epidemic that has hit the southern region of the state particularly hard.
Agents from 10 state and local agencies joined in the legal action at the Portsmouth (Scioto County) and Plymouth (Huron County) offices of Dr. James E. Lundeen Sr., according to reports from the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).
The AG’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) and Health Care Fraud Section, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Pharmacy Board of Ohio, Medical Board of Ohio, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Taxation, Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, and the Portsmouth Police Department participated in the raid.
“The search is part of an ongoing investigation into workers’ compensation fraud by Dr. Lundeen, who provides medical services to injured workers. In addition, we believe this issue could extend beyond fraud to include prescription drug abuse,” said BWC CEO/Administrator Stephen Buehrer in announcement released by the agency.
Buehrer added that the “BWC has been reviewing data regarding the use of prescription pain medicine in treatment for injured workers. … Ohio BWC spends more than $50 million in prescription narcotics each year. While these prescriptions can be a valid part of treatment, the inappropriate use of pain medicines in treating injured workers hurts the worker and constitutes fraud against the taxpayers and businesses of Ohio.”
Attorney General DeWine has made fighting prescription drug abuse a top priority of his office. He recently named former Adams County Prosecutor Aaron Haslam to coordinate his office’s efforts fighting prescription drug abuse.
The AG recently toured areas of southern Ohio that have been hit hard by the prescription drug abuse epidemic, including Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) in Portsmouth. As the primary hospital serving six counties in southern Ohio, SOMC treats many patients affected by prescription drug abuse. According to the AG’s office, 64 Scioto County infants were born with prescription drugs in their systems in 2009.
DeWine also met with law enforcement officials in Ross, Pike and Scioto counties to discuss ongoing efforts in the fight against illegal prescription drug trafficking.
Source: Ohio Attorney General’s Office; Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Topics Fraud Workers' Compensation Ohio
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