Forged prescriptions a growing problem

Art Nadler

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 10:37 a.m.

They're not the kinds of people who come to mind when you think of drug abusers. And you won't find them on street corners trying to score from some shadowy figure cruising by in a stretch limo.

Nonetheless, between 200 and 300 addicts of prescription pain killers and tranquilizers are busted every year. Fine, upstanding middle-class citizens -- medical professionals, retired senior citizens, young adults and conservatively dressed professionals -- all are breaking the law.

The scam is simple, said Nicholas Lombardo, supervisor of the Las Vegas office of the state's Division of Investigation. When a patient goes to see a doctor, he or she waits for an opportunity and then swipes the physician's prescription pad.

Having been given legitimate prescriptions from this physician in the past, a familiarity with his signature and style in writing medications only takes a little practice to forge. Hit the local pharmacy at peak times, and the pharmacist is too swamped to stop and check the authenticity of the order.

"I don't know if the system is accustomed to this activity," Lombardo said. "Since 1990 to now, it's been on a steady increase."

Pain killers called hydrocodone are favorite prescriptions misused. A popular brand name is Loratab. Diazepam tranquilizers are another.

According to Keith Macdonald, executive secretary of the state Board of Pharmacy, a written prescription isn't even needed for Schedule III, IV and V drugs. Prescriptions can be called in over the phone to the pharmacy.

Usually, all it takes is a woman to pose as a doctor's receptionist, Macdonald said. She must know the physician's Drug Enforcement Number (DEN) and have a voice that a pharmacist believes.

"A pharmacist will call back if he is suspicious," Macdonald said. "After 5 p.m. and on weekends (the busiest times) are when they usually call."

Most people who forge prescription drug orders do so for their own use, both Lombardo and Macdonald said. They become hooked on pain killers or tranquilizers and shop multiple doctors and pharmacies to satisfy their habit.

"Some people take drugs for a euphoric feeling," Macdonald said. "If they have pain, for their own health, they should go to a good doctor to get help."

Lombardo emphasizes that obtaining prescription drugs under false pretenses is a felony in Nevada. People are charged with two counts of violating the law -- burglary and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Burglary refers to entering the pharmacy and taking drugs under fraud, Lombardo said. Violators can be sent to jail.

Art Noxon, a deputy district attorney, says the charge is considered an E-felony, which carries a 12- to 48-month jail term. Usually, a first-time offender will be given probation if he goes to drug court and undergoes counseling.

Noxon said the court doesn't want to put people in prison if they are first-time offenders. If they go through counseling for a year and come before the court at scheduled intervals, offenders are allowed to plead guilty at the end of the year and are given a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor.

"We dismiss the charges and seal the record if they come to drug court and get counseling," said Judge Jack Lehman of drug court. "In Nevada, you can't even petition the court for 13 years to get a felony removed from your record. I'm amazed that these people don't get into drug court because I don't see them."