Cops now want to know about your prescriptions.

[Al Today]

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/09/08/669723/lists-of-pain-pillpatients-sought.html

Sheriffs in North Carolina want access to state computer records identifying anyone with prescriptions for powerful painkillers and other controlled substances.

The state sheriff's association pushed the idea Tuesday, saying the move would help them make drug arrests and curb a growing problem of prescription drug abuse. But patient advocates say opening up people's medicine cabinets to law enforcement would deal a devastating blow to privacy rights.

Allowing sheriffs' offices and other law enforcement officials to use the state's computerized list would vastly widen the circle of people with access to information on prescriptions written for millions of people. As it stands now, doctors and pharmacists are the main users.

How can I not be angry while watching this USofA going to hell...


edit: spelling

And people wonder why I smoke and do breathing exercises... Sheesh.

 

[ScottD]

Al, I just saw this posted in the local newspaper and you beat me to the punch. It is rather disconcerting in more than one regard. The article states that nearly 30% of the NC population is currently taking a controlled substance. That's tremendous.

Access to the database may misfire though if they start finding out that their own officers are taking some of these medications.

 

[dant]

{Fictional}
Cop: Ma'am, I pulled you over, because I note on my computer
that you have bought your prescriptions from Walmart today
on 6th and Prescott, 15 minutes ago, and your prescription
specifically says: 'Do not take while driving'. Step out of your
car so I can administer a drug test...

 

[Al Today]

[...] The article states that nearly 30% of the NC population is currently taking a controlled substance. [...]

I would not be at all surprised if more than 30% are medicated...

edit: And oh yeah, I betcha some there would be officers on that list. Heck, one just got busted for DUI in Indiana while driving his patrol car:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100819/NEWS02/8190485/1001/NEWS

Officer David Bisard's attorney, John Kautzman, has released this statement responding to the prosecutor's announcement that all DUI charges will be dismissed, leaving reckless homicide and criminal recklessness:
[...]
The dismissal of officer David Bisard's six counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated -- leaving intact a reckless homicide charge and two newly filed criminal recklessness counts -- is rooted in a fatal flaw in the case, Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said. Brizzi said a lab tech who drew Bisard's blood sample at an occupational health clinic was not certified under Indiana's DUI laws to do such work for a criminal case.

YEP

 

[ScottD]

There was an officer down here charged not too long ago for DUI in a patrol car as well. There was also the recent story of the drunk off-duty female officer that was dragged out of a bar by her co-workers where she then discharged her back-up weapon in the back of the patrol car. I'm sure if access to this database does happen, and officers show up on the list, there will be a lot of "protect our own" going on. Do as I say, not as I do, right?

 

[Clarekav]

It sounds like another case where they combat crime by taking away human rights and of course it is all in order to make us feel 'safe'
while slowly but surely our privacy is taken away.I always wonder at how easy it is for authorities to bring in laws that seem to punish and
affect the majority of people who have nothing to do with the crime instead of focusing on ways to fight the issues caused by the actual people
committing it.

I don't know if I'm being paranoid on this but I wonder if this is away for the police and other authorities to make sure the public are taking meds they want them to take, considering the FDA wants to bring in nanopharmaceuticals, although with those the pharmaceutical companies can keep track of your medical history anyway.

 

[Zadius Sky]

Al, I just saw this posted in the local newspaper and you beat me to the punch. It is rather disconcerting in more than one regard. The article states that nearly 30% of the NC population is currently taking a controlled substance. That's tremendous.

Yeah, it is tremendous, but to me, not surprising. There's quite a large number of people that I know are taking medications, most of them at work as likely due to stress or other problems. They are not gotta be happy when they found out about this.

Access to the database may misfire though if they start finding out that their own officers are taking some of these medications.

My thought exactly.

 

[davey72]

if they really wanted to do that they would take a hint from canada and their triplicate prescriptions,rather than needlessly going through eveyones privacy.i would reason,no?