Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jul 2003
Source: Herald, The (SC)
Copyright: 2003 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.heraldonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/369
Author: Tim Eberly, The Herald

POLICE CONFIRM DOCTOR'S DEATH WAS DRUG OVERDOSE

YORK -- The York County Coroner's Office confirmed Tuesday that a York
doctor died last month from an accidental drug overdose at his
workplace. Dr. Alan Frankel, 39, of York died from an oxycodone
overdose June 24. Frankel, who was a physician at Advantage Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, was found unresponsive at his Liberty
Street office.

Initial toxicology tests did not show a lethal level of oxycodone in
Frankel's blood, but a second test revealed it as his cause of death,
York County Coroner Doug McKown said. Oxycodone is a pain-killer that
is about as addictive as morphine, according to the coroner's office.

Tuesday afternoon, McKown said Frankel had a long-standing history of
drug abuse that contributed to his death. His heart and lungs were
weak from the drug use, McKown said.

Authorities initially investigated Frankel's case as a suspicious
death, though it appeared to be drug-related from the start. Drugs and
drug paraphernalia, including syringes and diluting solution, were
found near his body.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control and the State
Law Enforcement Division also began investigating whether Frankel was
writing inappropriate prescriptions.

A York police officer, 23-year-old Larry Jason Parker, was fired two
days after Frankel's death. Parker was later arrested on charges he
picked up four fraudulent drug prescriptions written by Frankel.

Three of the prescriptions Parker picked up were for oxycodone; the
fourth was for hydrocodone.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake