The DEA is In The Way of Solving the Opioid Epidemic by Enforcing Flawed Policies and Procedures

SINCE WHEN IS THE JOB OR THE ROLE  OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DEA) TO DICTATE AND DEFINE MEDICAL / PHARMACEUTICAL PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS.

This past Saturday, October 12, 2019, I was on the Campus of Florida A&M University celebrating the homegoing of one of the greatest Professors of Pharmacy known throughout the world  Leonard Inge.  A simple poor  kid,  youngest of 13 siblings, from Pritchard Al., who served as President of The National Pharmacist Association, 12 years Florida Board of Pharmacy, 34 years Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy (and I could go on and on an never complete this e-mail)  where his specialty was teaching Pharmacy Law and Compounding. 

I was trained by one of the greatest Professors and Iv’e been  practicing pharmacy the same way, using the same concepts, methodology, the same procedures and techniques in Pharmaceutical Compounding as taught to me at Florida A&M University for over 45 years.  Our continuing education on  Compounding Pharmaceuticals (from various sources) mirrors that which was taught to me at Florida A&M by Leonard Inge and other Professors.

So I asked my self what has changed?? The answer points to one very questionable and dangerous practice LAW ENFORCEMENT has intruded into defining medical procedures and protocols.  We see this in the so-called Opioid Crisis, the idea OPIOID medications. are cannot be use for chronic pain are simply not true and is misleading. Further the idea these medications are not to be used in combination with other medications such those use to relieve anxiety (benzodiazopines) , mood disorders or sleep are further in error. 

Opioid medications when prescribed and used for long term chronic pain will result in dependency, therefore it becomes the role of the Pharmacist to ensure the patient who is being treated for chronic pain on how to use of this class medications correctly to ensure their safety. 

For example, Oxycodone is a very effective medication for treating chronic pain when used and taken at a therapeutic dose. Oxycodone, is effective against most chronic pain generated from the central nervous system. However as with any medication used to treat a chronic condition in order to sustain life the patient may become permanently dependent on theses classes of drug for the rest of their life. 

 These medications are safe when used correctly and like any medications control or non control when taken beyond their therapeutic doses are dangerous and may result in death. The literature more than clearly show death due to drug toxicity will likely occur when prescription opioid are taken beyond its therapeutic amounts or commitant  use with alcohol, other, substances meds. Most importantly, to this date unless in the case of extreme anaphylaxis, there is no case in the literature when any individual has succumbed to death when given a therapeutic dose of a medically prescribed Opioid. 

However, Law Enforcement (DEA, United States Attorney DOJ) in order to seek greater power or authority "stigmatized the disease and traumatizes the afflicted" (e.g. Sangu Delle) they have used heavy handed techniques to target Physicians, Pharmacists, Nurses, Drug wholesalers particular African America and other minorities in this manufactured medical Opioid Crisis Epidemic to promote their funding. In fact DEA is the single most government agency who tactics have the increase cost of medication and healthcare all across America by mis-interpreting purpose and roles of medications needed to treat acute, chronic, neuropathic and psychological, pain. Law Enforcement (DEA, United States Attorney DOJ) have engaged campaign of disinformation to sway the public to a point of that these medications are in deed drugs, dangerous drugs who dosages are red flags indicating abuse and trafficking contributing to the Opiod crisis around America.

When, I was on my way back to the United States leaving Johannesburg  on Air France flying to Paris, and I came across TED.com lectures  and became fascinated, enthralled specifically with the lecture of a Nigerian Professor Sangu Delle concerning Mental health in-which he says “…when it comes to mental illness our ignorance eviscerates  our empathy,”  Professor Delle elaborated, Dans Une etude realisee par Arbole Flores ( in a study done by Arboleda-Flores), when directly  asking people about the causes of mental illness the result were staggeringly sad;

  1. 34%  Cited drug misuse

  2. 19%  Cited divine raft of will of God

  3. 12%  Cited witchcraft and spiritual possession

Professor Delle summarizes, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and our social well being most people simply ignore or fail to understand causes of Mental illness which include, genetics, Social economics status, Wars and conflicts, or the loss of a loved one. Professor Delle emphasizes, “we must stop stigmatizing the disease and traumatize the afflicted.”

Dr. Norman Clement Sr.

by Norman J Clement RPH, DDS, and Walter R. Clement , Prof., Law Enforcement.