Anyone who works in the medical profession has access to narcotics. I think its actually easier to do in a private doctors office rather than a hospital. I also went to nursing school (although I hated it and quit) and saw this practice in nursing homes and hospitals to some extent. It seems pretty stupid to me to take only one or two pills at a time, the narcotics are so closely watched. Right now I work at a lab and we do drug screens for the state. We have random screens for doctors and nurses who got busted someway and now must submit to random UA's several times a month. If they don't they lose their licence. I don't know if they are prosecuted, but I don't think many are. Its just too common and a lot of powerful people would be embarassed by that. It easier to monitor them and lay their licence on the line. You would be surprised to see how many doctors we have!! Even some I have worked for and would never suspect that they got caught with drugs somehow. I have never asked them about it, I would lose my own job, but I can't help but wonder if everyone who has to get tested really was an addict or diverted prescriptions. Somehow I don't think so. I hope that none of them have to do that because the DEA questione their prescribing practices. I am trying to develop some rapport with some of my "patients" and see why they have to get tested. It would be so interesting to see why.

Also, if you work in a private doctors office, there are so many ways to get pills. You have access to prescription pads, learn how to call in prescriptions, see the catalouges that get sent to the office selling narcotics for in office use. (I always wondered what would happen if I placed an order for the office) Even the lowliest secretatry can get away with it. And for those of you who say "you'll get caught" I have seen it happen so many times that you'd be amazed. I personally knew of 3 nurses out of 9 in a clinic who called in their own scripts. Thats 1/3rd of an office staff!! As long as you know what you are doing and don't get greedy and don't use insurance you probably won't get caught. I have to say that many a night when I am laying awake bacause of pain I am so tempted to make a quick call to Rite-aid or something. But of course I am one of those people who can't get away with anything and I know I'd get caught. Besides I really am not desparate enough to go to jail over some pills. But a lot of people are, more than you'd think. I mean how easy is it to call a pharmacy and say you are the nurse for Dr. So and So and you'd like to call in some vicoden for elderly Mrs. Smith? Fake name, fake address and no insurance. The only risk is picking it up. So thats why so many healthcare workers indulge in this-its very easy.

Q