Pubdate: Sat, 09 Nov 2013
Source: Las Cruces Sun-News (NM)
Copyright: 2013 Las Cruces Sun-News
Contact:  http://www.lcsun-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/674
Author: Walter Rubel

RECKLESS POLICE TEAM WITH THOUGHTLESS DOCTORS TO CONDUCT ABUSIVE SEARCH

Las Cruces Sun-News Posted:  11/09/2013 08:33:20 AM MST

They say the first rule of writing is to write about what you know. 
And so, this week I've decided to discuss colonoscopies.

It's a topic I knew little about until a couple of years ago. Now, I 
have vast first-hand experience to draw from.

Here's how it's worked with me.

The process actually starts with breakfast the day before, which is 
why I have the procedure done on a Monday. I typically eat a big 
Sunday breakfast anyway, and really go all out before a colonoscopy 
because that will be the last meal allowed until after it's done. 
Broth or lemon Jello are OK for lunch and dinner, but I just skip those.

By midafternoon it's time for the laxatives, followed by a bottle of 
magnesium citrate and big glass of water in the evening and another 
early the next morning. Frequent trips to the bathroom follow, as my 
excretory system turns into a leaky faucet.

Finally, it's time for the procedure. I start by putting on one of 
those hospital gowns that is open in back, which never really made 
sense until now. Then they inject an IV for the anesthesia. I'm told 
that because I have sleep apnea, I get a lower dosage than most folks.

I then lay on my side as the doctor snakes the scope into my bottom. 
I watched on the TV screen as the camera went deeper into my innards. 
There wasn't really any pain involved, but it was different.

When it's done, most people are still a little loopy until the 
anesthesia wears off. They require someone else to sign you out and 
drive you home. And, for several hours afterward, there is a bloated, 
gaseous feeling caused by the air that's used during the procedure.

I explain all of this in an effort to provide some perspective to the 
story last week about a guy who allegedly failed to come to a 
complete stop when pulling out of the Walmart parking lot in Deming 
and ended up getting a forced colonoscopy hours later in Silver City.

Deming Police officers were apparently convinced that David Eckert 
was hiding illegal drugs between his allegedly clinched buttocks, and 
were not easily dissuaded in that belief.

They took him to Mimbres Memorial Hospital, where doctors there had 
the good sense to refuse to conduct an anal cavity search, calling it 
unethical. Undaunted, officers drove to the next county in search of 
doctors without good sense or ethics, and found them at Gila Regional 
Medical Center in Silver City.

There, the forced colonoscopy was performed, but only after three 
enemas, two anal probes and a couple of X-rays -- none of which were 
sufficient to convince officers that Eckert did not have a couple 
kilos stashed deep in his cecum.

Gila Regional then billed Eckert for the medical procedures performed 
against his will.

Prior to my colonoscopy, I had a lengthy consultation with my doctor 
in which we discussed my previous medical history, allergies, 
medications, current condition and any other factors that could have 
potentially complicated the procedure.

One can only imagine the consultation offered to Eckert.

And, this was apparently not an isolated incident.

Attorney Shannon Kennedy, who is representing Eckert, has filed a 
separate lawsuit against Hidalgo County on behalf of a man who claims 
he was strip searched in a gas station parking lot, then taken to the 
hospital for a cavity search.

It is reasonable for law enforcement to seek a court warrant for a 
cavity search when there is credible evidence of a crime. But 
clearly, judges need to be more skeptical in issuing those warrants, 
officers need to exercise better judgment in executing them and 
doctors need to be reminded of an ancient oath.

First do no harm.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom