DrugBuyers.Com: DEA searches doctor's office

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DEA searches doctor's office

Surgeon denies overprescribing drugs

By Jason Miller, The News-Dispatch

Dr. F.G. Battle says he's simply trying to ease people's pain and keep them from buying drugs off the street.

But the Michigan City surgeon says the federal government thinks he's over-prescribing narcotics.

On Monday, agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency served a search warrant on Battle's office in the Walters Clinic at the Medical Arts Building, 1507 Wabash St., and left with what Battle said was a wealth of patient medical files.

DEA Investigator Charles Wahl confirmed Friday that the raid took place on Monday, but said federal privacy guidelines prevented him from commenting further on the investigation
Michigan City Police Cpl. and DEA agent Mark Swistek also confirmed an investigation is under way but couldn't give specifics.

In an interview with The News-Dispatch Friday, Battle said he was cooperating with federal officials but defended himself, saying prescriptions he's given for pain killers have all been legitimate.

"People have come in for pain pills and I've prescribed them. It's all legal," he said. "We try to keep people pain free and keep them off the streets.

"There are just a few bad apples in the pie that have created a mess."

He wouldn't elaborate, but Battle alluded to an outside influence he thinks told federal officials he was doing something wrong.

"I think this will all be cleared up very soon," he said.

Battle said Friday that he's been prescribing pain killers to patients experiencing "severe pain" from conditions such as arthritis and other ailments. He said he'd rather prescribe medicine to patients than see them "buying heroin on the streets."

"I don't want to turn these people into drug addicts," he said. "They're in real pain."

Battle pointed to his good standing in the community and the longevity of his practice in rebutting the allegations. He said he's been serving the community for more than 40 years.

Battle didn't elaborate on the parameters of the apparent investigation but said he couldn't be held responsible if the patients he prescribed the drugs to were, in turn, selling those drugs on the street.

"I've spent my whole life helping people," he said. "I wouldn't give these people medicine if I knew they were selling it. If they're selling it, I wouldn't know. I can't spend all day chasing people around just to see if they're selling it."

Battle pointed to a recent heightened initiative by the Bush administration to deal with doctors over-prescribing medications.

"This is coming from Washington, you know," he said. "The president's acting like he wants to be real tough. I'm convinced this is all legal."

Contact reporter Jason Miller at

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