Michigan Prosecutor Faces Prescription Fraud Charge

[David1946]

 

Michigan Prosecutor Faces Prescription Pain Pill Fraud Charge

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20111228/NEWS06/111228031/1001/rss01

 

 

 

ALPENA, Mich. — A northern Michigan prosecutor accused of doctor shopping to illegally get prescriptions for painkillers has made an initial court appearance.

 

The Alpena News reports Richard Steiger, the prosecutor in Presque Isle County, appeared Wednesday in Alpena County 88th District Court. He was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

 

His next hearing is Jan. 11 in Alpena.

 

Steiger has strongly denied the accusations. He told The Associated Press on Tuesday he has a documented history of medical problems, and that his doctors knew he was seeing different physicians. The 46-year-old says he's the victim of a "political witch hunt."

 

Attorney General Bill Schuette said the prosecutor was investigated by a regional undercover drug squad and state police. Steiger is accused of visiting multiple doctors for the same prescription painkillers.

 

 

[newbie313]

Wow

[cristinew]

he will walk free just like o rush did

[Croppled1]

When is Michigan going to help it's Citizens instead of pursue them like this . I have had this same sort of stigmatism involved in my care for years . I will pray for this man . It should never be against the law to seek other opinions and care options . People on dependent medications need more protections to continuity of medication as well as acceptable individually tailored detoxification that is comfortable when they have problems or need adjustments . In my case I loose bowel function so I need care different then someone who looses dosing control for instance .

 

The whole point of going on medications is for comfort it is unbelievable to me how the system abandons people when they need it most allowing for worse problems to develop . Criminality clouds the issue further making a dangerous environment for patients , medicine is a practice . I am still searching for the answers but I know patients are all braver then they get credit for and treating the issue through the criminal court system and any forced treatment is wrong but in the worst of situations . Tough love is the exact opposite of what patients need , they need love and caring to work toward a stable solution . This is so frustrating to see when I have wrestled with this situation for so many years after having a injury nobody see's as life threatening but it most definitely is . I have found relief for the physical pain through medication but it always causes mental pain and other side effects that if not corrected in time become just as overwhelming or even more so . It is a huge commitment to have someone on pain management therapy . When problems happen there is fear for patients and a feeling and reality of nowhere to turn and isolation makes issues even more unbearable .

 

I am convinced Michigan needs a affordable subsidized retreat where people can have individual rooms with adjustable thermostats in a respite care type environment and a real indoor pool or two ( warm and normal ) because buoyancy helps pain patients exercise without hurting themselves as much as on land ( backs , spines and knees for example ) . Of course there should be pain specialists on site to fine tune a persons medications with both Naturopathy and cannabis available . The facility could also offer sheltered employment to patients I have seen this work in a Brain Injury Clinic here . The patient is always right you can't force on them what their body is rejecting or they do not believe in .

 

If there is a place like this I haven't' found it . I do know the more people involved in ones treatment plan the more difficult communication becomes . This man is a patient just like us there is no reason to hate him or wish him ill will . He needs support . He may very well have to face retirement and disability a terrifying experience in itself . Please read the article linked below but remember there is always a better future ahead we all must hold out for it . Ask for help at a local ER if you must as many times as you must one day we will get proper help and treatment for patients boxed in by this concept of criminality that pushes into medical treatment causing harm where caring should exist . There are allot of Doctors who can dispense pain killers but few who will stand behind their patients and work through solutions . It is so sad when patients physical chemistry becomes unbalanced to where they can't defend or help themselves and the system attacks them . Withdrawals can kill weaker patients as well as introducing the wrong solutions often psychiatric drugs or abrupt detox which causes rebound and drug seeking behavior as a means to stop the suffering . Patients should not be put in that situation . They went to the medical system for help . When things go well their championed when things go wrong their abandoned .

 

If you can stay off painkillers by using cannabis do it and count yourself lucky . Please support better care for those who can't . It isn't a choice - it is a catch 22 situation of life and death .

 

http://www.daytondai...ter-656012.html

[Frank R]

Why does this guy have a target on his back?

I don't have any real intellegence on him.

So based on a lack of data, I'll have to assume that Steiger:

 

• 
   
  
• Is a Democrat
  
• Once said something positive about medical marijuana, the environment, or a woman's right to choose
  
• A political threat to Schuette, or one of Schuette's friends
  
• Once criticized a Schuette policy or action publically
  
• Is having an Appalachian Trist with Schuette's wife
  
• Has information of Schuette's meth-fueled Broke Back Mountain Imbroglios
   
  

[jay420]

That was classic

[impatient]

It was said centuries ago that "every man at forty, is either a fool, or a physician, that is, with regard to himself,"

Then, someone came along and said: "the doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient", and another saying followed that " a MAN who treats himself has a fool for a patient".

I strongly believe in the first saying. Others believe just as strongly in the second and third sayings.

In our country we still have the right to choose individually which of these sayings we believe in. All need to respect that freedom of choice, but unfortunately many in positions of power and authority do not. They prefer to see a "nanny state" with themselves in power to make and enforce the rules. Access to MMJ scares the hell out of people like that.

 

 

 

 

 

When is Michigan going to help it's Citizens instead of pursue them like this . I have had this same sort of stigmatism involved in my care for years . I will pray for this man . It should never be against the law to seek other opinions and care options . People on dependent medications need more protections to continuity of medication as well as acceptable individually tailored detoxification that is comfortable when they have problems or need adjustments . In my case I loose bowel function so I need care different then someone who looses dosing control for instance .

 

The whole point of going on medications is for comfort it is unbelievable to me how the system abandons people when they need it most allowing for worse problems to develop . Criminality clouds the issue further making a dangerous environment for patients , medicine is a practice . I am still searching for the answers but I know patients are all braver then they get credit for and treating the issue through the criminal court system and any forced treatment is wrong but in the worst of situations . Tough love is the exact opposite of what patients need , they need love and caring to work toward a stable solution . This is so frustrating to see when I have wrestled with this situation for so many years after having a injury nobody see's as life threatening but it most definitely is . I have found relief for the physical pain through medication but it always causes mental pain and other side effects that if not corrected in time become just as overwhelming or even more so . It is a huge commitment to have someone on pain management therapy . When problems happen there is fear for patients and a feeling and reality of nowhere to turn and isolation makes issues even more unbearable .

 

I am convinced Michigan needs a affordable subsidized retreat where people can have individual rooms with adjustable thermostats in a respite care type environment and a real indoor pool or two ( warm and normal ) because buoyancy helps pain patients exercise without hurting themselves as much as on land ( backs , spines and knees for example ) . Of course there should be pain specialists on site to fine tune a persons medications with both Naturopathy and cannabis available . The facility could also offer sheltered employment to patients I have seen this work in a Brain Injury Clinic here . The patient is always right you can't force on them what their body is rejecting or they do not believe in .

 

If there is a place like this I haven't' found it . I do know the more people involved in ones treatment plan the more difficult communication becomes . This man is a patient just like us there is no reason to hate him or wish him ill will . He needs support . He may very well have to face retirement and disability a terrifying experience in itself . Please read the article linked below but remember there is always a better future ahead we all must hold out for it . Ask for help at a local ER if you must as many times as you must one day we will get proper help and treatment for patients boxed in by this concept of criminality that pushes into medical treatment causing harm where caring should exist . There are allot of Doctors who can dispense pain killers but few who will stand behind their patients and work through solutions . It is so sad when patients physical chemistry becomes unbalanced to where they can't defend or help themselves and the system attacks them . Withdrawals can kill weaker patients as well as introducing the wrong solutions often psychiatric drugs or abrupt detox which causes rebound and drug seeking behavior as a means to stop the suffering . Patients should not be put in that situation . They went to the medical system for help . When things go well their championed when things go wrong their abandoned .

 

If you can stay off painkillers by using cannabis do it and count yourself lucky . Please support better care for those who can't . It isn't a choice - it is a catch 22 situation of life and death .

 

http://www.daytondai...ter-656012.html