Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2007
Source: Press-Republican (NY)
Copyright: 2007 Plattsburgh Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pressrepublican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/639
Author: Denise Raymo, staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

DOZENS BUSTED FOR SELLING, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Thirty-Six People From Franklin County Accused Of Illegally Buying Or
Selling Prescription Drugs.

MALONE -- Three dozen people, half of whom received public assistance,
were arrested Tuesday for selling or buying prescription drugs paid
for by Franklin County taxpayers.

District Attorney Derek Champagne said five to seven of them were
making a living selling prescription drugs they had allegedly obtained
by either:

Exaggerating symptoms at a doctor's office.

Faking injuries in automobile accidents.

Coaching each other before doctor visits to ensure they got
more-potent prescriptions.

Lying about a lost prescription so they could have a duplicate made to
fill at a different pharmacy.

The drugs include oxycontin and hydrocodone, both powerful pain
relievers that are called synthetic cocaine because they affect the
body in the same way and are as addictive.

Methadone and marijuana were also identified in the drug
arrests.

One of those arrested had a prescription for 120 oxycontin pills
filled Monday at a Saranac Lake pharmacy but had only 46 left when he
was arrested less than 24 hours later.

The pills are sold for about $1 per milligram, so one 40-milligram
pill would go for $30 to $40 and an 80-milligram pill for $60 to $80.

Considering that the county-funded Medicaid program paid for many of
the prescriptions instead of the dealers' pockets, they were making
$1,200 in clear profit for one prescription, Champagne said.

Officers from local, state, county and federal agencies arrested
people all morning in the Village and Town of Malone, North Bangor,
Owls Head, Fort Covington, Moira, Akwesasne and Constable.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin