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Article
The Diversion of Prescription Drugs by Health Care Workers in Cincinnati, Ohio
Substance Use & Misuse
  • James A. Inciardi, University of Delaware
  • Hilary L. Surratt, Nova Southeastern University
  • Steven P. Kurtz, Nova Southeastern University
  • John J. Burke, Greater Warren County Drug Task Force
Department
Department of Justice and Human Services
Publication Date
1-1-2006
ISSN
1532-2491
Abstract

Data are reported from drug diversion cases involving health care workers who were investigated by the Cincinnati Police Division Pharmaceutical Diversion Squad over an 11-year period. This type of information is rarely available because few U.S. police jurisdictions dedicate resources to prescription drug diversion surveillance. Data from 1992 through 2002 show that opioids were the drugs most commonly diverted by health care workers, followed by benzodiazepines. Nurses, nursing assistants, and medical assistants were involved in almost three quarters of all cases. Hospitals were the most common sources of complaint to police, followed by pharmacies. Health care professional associations are advised to promote greater awareness of drug misuse and dependence concerns among their memberships, and health care facilities that stock pharmaceuticals liable for misuse and diversion are advised to increase the security of their supplies.

ORCID ID
0000-0003-4027-7840
ResearcherID
K-3072-2014, H-3010-2014
DOI
10.1080/10826080500391829
Citation Information
James A. Inciardi, Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz and John J. Burke. "The Diversion of Prescription Drugs by Health Care Workers in Cincinnati, Ohio" Substance Use & Misuse Vol. 41 Iss. 2 (2006) p. 255 - 264
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steven-kurtz/232/