Pubdate: Tue, 02 May 2006
Source: Miami Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2006 The Miami Herald
Contact:  http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/262
Author: Brian Skoloff, The Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

LIMBAUGH MUST SUBMIT TO DRUG TESTS

As Part Of An Agreement To Dismiss A Prescription Fraud Charge, Radio 
Commentator Rush Limbaugh Must Undergo Random Drug Testing

WEST PALM BEACH - Rush Limbaugh must submit to random drug tests 
under an agreement filed Monday that will dismiss a prescription 
fraud charge against the conservative commentator after 18 months if 
he complies with the terms.

He also must continue treatment for his acknowledged addiction to 
painkillers, and he cannot own a gun.

The agreement did not call for Limbaugh to admit guilt to the charge 
that he sought a prescription from a physician in 2003 without 
revealing that he had received medications from another practitioner 
within 30 days. He pleaded not guilty Friday.

"Do you think if there was any real evidence, we would have reached a 
settlement?" Limbaugh said Monday on his radio show.

Limbaugh said that he has been undergoing random drug tests for 2 1/2 
years and "haven't even craved a painkiller since I got out of rehab."

Attorney Roy Black said in a statement Monday that the agreement was 
"a common-sense resolution and the appropriate way the state should 
treat people who have admitted an addiction to prescription pain 
medication and voluntarily sought treatment."

Prosecutors launched their probe in 2003 after Limbaugh's housekeeper 
alleged he abused OxyContin and other painkillers. He entered a five- 
week rehabilitation program that year and blamed his addiction on 
severe back pain.

"I spoke recently with his doctor, who told me Mr. Limbaugh has made 
an exceptionally strong recovery and remains firmly committed to 
continued treatment," Black said.

The Palm Beach County state attorney's office may revoke or modify 
the deal if Limbaugh violates the terms, according to the agreement.

Limbaugh, 55, had criticized the investigation as a "fishing" 
expedition and repeatedly maintained he was innocent.

Prosecutors accused him of illegally deceiving multiple doctors to 
receive overlapping prescriptions, a practice known as doctor 
shopping. After seizing his medical records, authorities learned 
Limbaugh received up to 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four 
doctors, in six months.

However, the single charge only alleges that Limbaugh illegally 
obtained about 40 pills, said Mike Edmondson, a state attorney's 
spokesman. He would not explain why prosecutors scaled back the case.

Kendall Coffey, a Miami defense lawyer, said the agreement is a 
standard deal for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman