by
Norman J. Clement RPh, DDS, and Jack Folson RPh, Clinical Pharmacist
DEA Overreach: Redefining Medicine, Stigmatizing Patients
This reflection by Norman J. Clement and Jack Folson, both pharmacists, critically examines the overreach of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into medical practice, particularly concerning chronic pain management and opioid prescriptions.
The authors argue that the DEA has misinterpreted the appropriate use of narcotic analgesic medications and has adopted tactics that “stigmatize the disease state and traumatize the afflicted,” especially targeting healthcare professionals and patients of color.
They contend that law enforcement should not dictate medical procedures, asserting that medications like oxycodone are safe and effective when prescribed and used therapeutically, and that the DEA’s actions contribute to increased healthcare costs and a campaign of misinformation regarding the opioid crisis.
A REFLECTION
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, I was on the Campus of Florida A&M University celebrating the home-going of one of the greatest professors of Pharmacy known throughout the world, Leonard Inge.
Leonard Inge, a simple poor kid, youngest of 13 siblings, from Pritchard Al., served as President of The National Pharmacist Association, 12 years Florida Board of Pharmacy, 34 years Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy (and I could go on and on never complete this discussion) where his specialty was teaching Pharmacy Law and Compounding.
I was fortunate to be trained by one of the greatest professors of Pharmacy and I’ve been practicing pharmacy the same way, using the same concepts, methodology, procedures, and techniques in Pharmaceutical Compounding as taught at Florida A&M University for over 45 years.
Our continuing education on Compounding Pharmaceuticals (from various sources) mirrors that which was taught at Florida A&M by Leonard Inge and other professors.
So I asked myself, what has changed?
The answer points to one very questionable and dangerous practice: LAW ENFORCEMENT has intruded into defining medical procedures and protocols.
We see this in the so-called Opioid Crisis, the idea that Narcotic Analgesic Medications (NAM) cannot be used for chronic pain is not accurate and is misleading.
Further, the thought that these medications are not to be used in combination with other medications such as those used to relieve anxiety ( benzodiazepines), mood disorders, or sleep is in error.
Narcotic Analgesic Medications (NAM), when prescribed and used for long-term chronic pain, will result in dependency. Therefore, it then becomes the role of the Pharmacist to inform the patient who is being treated for chronic pain on how to use this class of medications correctly to ensure their safety.
OXYCODONE BECOMES DANGEROUS WHEN USED DANGEROUSLY
For example, Oxycodone is a very effective medication for treating chronic pain when used and taken at a therapeutic dose.
Oxycodone is effective against most chronic pain generated from the central nervous system. However, as with any medication used to treat a chronic condition to sustain life, the patient may become permanently dependent on these classes of medication for the rest of their life.
These medications are safe when used correctly, and like all medications, controlled or noncontrolled, when taken beyond their therapeutic dosages, are dangerous and may result in death.
The literature clearly shows that death due to drug toxicity will likely occur when prescription narcotic analgesic medications are taken beyond their therapeutic amounts or combined with alcohol or other substances.
To date, except in the case of extreme anaphylaxis, there is no case within the literature where individuals have succumbed to death when given a therapeutic dose of a medically prescribed Narcotic Analgesic Medication (NAM).
THE DEA AND UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE GONE ROGUE
There is a disturbing trend within the medical/pharmaceutical community wherein medical practitioners are targeted. Law enforcement agencies have conducted raids and arrested medical personnel for dispensing legally prescribed medications to the community.
The DEA has become a rogue agency that must be disbanded. It is the single most heinous governmental agency whose tactics have led to the increased cost of medications and healthcare across America by misinterpreting the purpose and roles of medications needed to treat acute, chronic, neuropathic, and psychological pain.
They have waged a campaign of misinformation to persuade the public that these medications are dangerous drugs whose dosages are “RED FLAGS” indicating abuse and trafficking, which contributes to the so-called opioid crisis in America.
The DEA has become a rogue agency that has lost its mission, using threats and intimidation such as;
1. Tactics of no-knock raids and arrest,
2. Forfeiture,
3. Threat of prison time
These agents lacking in both knowledge and understanding of Opioid Pain receptors, come armed with “BADGES, GUNS AND PROFOUND STUPIDITY.”
They impose their will on the medical profession (nurses, pharmacists, physicians, dentists, and especially drug wholesalers) and their patients.
DEA’S RED FLAGS OF DISTORTION
“stigmatizes the disease state and traumatizes the afflicted”
When, returning to the United States from Johannesburg on Air France flying to Paris, and I came across TED.com lectures and specifically with the lecture of a Ghanan Professor Sangu Delle concerning the view of mental health in many African countries, in which he says;
“…when it comes to mental illness, our ignorance eviscerates our empathy,…… we stigmatize the disease and traumatize the afflicted……”
Professor Delle elaborated, according to a study done by Arboleda-Flores when directly asking people about the causes of mental illness the result was staggeringly sad;
4. 34% sited drug mis-used
5. 19% Divine raft of the will of God
6. 12% cited witchcraft and spiritual possession
Professor Delle summarizes mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and our social well-being. Most people simply ignore or fail to understand the causes of mental illness, which include genetics, social-economic status, war, and conflict, or the loss of a loved one.
The DEA uses malicious law enforcement tactics to seek greater power and authority in which they “stigmatize the disease state and traumatize the afflicted.” These tactics are the RED FLAGS OF MEDICAL REDLINING, targeted toward licensed professional people of color and the patients in their care. Patients who pay by cash, credit, or debit card do so because they are either uninsured or their pharmacy does not accept insurance. They become “RED Flagged” and deemed abusers and criminals by the DEA.
These tactics also include patients who have been profiled by other Pharmacists of large pharmacy chains, who often tell patients of color, “I feel uncomfortable filling your prescription,” particularly pain medications. These patients often report that the Pharmacist even questions their need to take these medications, as well as recommends over-the-counter pain meds.
Absent, throughout these encounters, is the failure of the pharmacist to discuss disease state or conduct a physical exam of the patient, order radiographs, blood work, review the entire patient’s medical and medication profile, which they are not licensed to do.
Therefore, to recommend that the patient use over-the-counter pain meds or refuse to fill their prescription for pain meds is blatantly biased.
The patient is then forced to travel long distances to find a pharmacy that will treat them fairly, with dignity and respect. However, this results in both the Pharmacist and pharmacies that fill their prescriptions becoming the DEA’s Red Flag targets, as well as the patient.
Thus, in this so-called Opioid Crisis or War on Drugs, we must begin to ask, are these the tactics of THE DEA RED FLAG of RACISM, or even more succinctly, THE DEA RED FLAG OF JIM CROW, in which the disease state is stigmatized and the afflicted become traumatized.
IN THE SPIRIT OF SANKOFA
FOR NOW
YOU’RE WITHIN THE NORMS
References:
Detailed Timeline
Pre-1974 (Over 45 years prior to 2019):
- Norman J. Clement begins practicing pharmacy, utilizing concepts, methodology, procedures, and techniques in Pharmaceutical Compounding as taught at Florida A&M University.
Undated (Prior to October 12, 2019):
- Leonard Inge serves as President of The National Pharmacist Association and for 12 years on the Florida Board of Pharmacy. He also teaches Pharmacy Law and Compounding for 34 years at Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy.
- The DEA and the United States Attorney General’s Office begin a “disturbing trend” of targeting medical practitioners, conducting raids, and arresting medical personnel for dispensing legally prescribed medications.
- The DEA starts implementing “Red Flags” for drug abuse and trafficking, misinterpreting the purpose and roles of necessary medications, particularly Narcotic Analgesic Medications (NAM).
- The DEA’s tactics include no-knock raids, arrests, forfeiture, and threats of prison time against medical professionals (nurses, pharmacists, physicians, dentists, and drug wholesalers).
- Pharmacists in large pharmacy chains begin profiling and refusing to fill prescriptions for patients of color, particularly for pain medications, often questioning their need or recommending over-the-counter alternatives.
- Patients, especially those paying by cash, credit, or debit due to lack of insurance, are “Red Flagged” and deemed abusers/criminals by the DEA.
- Pharmacists and pharmacies who do fill prescriptions for these “Red Flagged” patients become targets themselves.
- Professor Sangu Delle delivers a TED.com lecture concerning the view of mental health in many African countries, highlighting the stigma and trauma associated with mental illness.
- A study by Arboleda-Flores reveals public perceptions of mental illness causes, with 34% citing drug misuse, 19% divine wrath/will of God, and 12% witchcraft/spiritual possession.
Saturday, October 12, 2019:
- Norman J. Clement is on the Campus of Florida A&M University to celebrate the “homegoing” (funeral/memorial) of Professor Leonard Inge.
December 10, 2019:
- Norman J. Clement and Jack Folson publish the article “SINCE WHEN HAS IT BECOME THE JOB OR THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DEA) TO DICTATE AND RE-DEFINE MEDICAL PROCEDURES and PROTOCOLS: “A REFLECTION”” on the “youarewithinthenorms” website.
December 17, 2019:
- Jack Folson comments on the published article, suggesting a grammatical correction: “It is the single most governmental… should read: It is the single most heinous governmental…”
December 18, 2019:
- “You’re Within The Norms” (presumably Norman J. Clement) replies to Jack Folson, thanking him and confirming the sentence has been re-edited.
2015 (Undated, but referenced for the song):
- Benjamin Clementine’s song “The Nemesis” is mentioned, from London, England.
Post-December 10, 2019 (Undated, but implied by ‘Pingback’ status):
- Other articles related to the DEA’s actions against pharmacies and medical professionals are published and linked from the initial article:
- “SO WHILE WE WERE ALL FOCUSED ON IRAN, TRUMP’S DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA) WAS OUT ATTACKING BLACK OWN PHARMACIES…..”
- “DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA) ARMED WITH BADGES GUNS AND PROFOUND STUPIDITY NEEDS CONGRESSIONAL REFORM OR BE DISBAND”
- “DAILY REMEDY: THE GOVERNMENTS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR ON PHYSICIAN/PHARMACIST: A DISCUSSION WITH DEFENSE LAWYER RON CHAPMAN II”
May 24, 2022:
- The article “SINCE WHEN HAS IT BECOME THE JOB OR THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DEA) TO DICTATE AND RE-DEFINE MEDICAL PROCEDURES and PROTOCOLS: “A REFLECTION”” is updated or republished, indicated by the “May 24, 2022” date next to the original publication date.
Cast of Characters
The broader group targeted by the DEA’s enforcement actions includes raids, arrests, and intimidation.
Norman J. Clement RPh., DDS:
Co-author of the article “SINCE WHEN HAS IT BECOME THE JOB OR THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DEA) TO DICTATE AND RE-DEFINE MEDICAL PROCEDURES and PROTOCOLS: “A REFLECTION””.
A registered pharmacist (RPh) and dentist (DDS).
Practiced pharmacy for over 45 years, trained by Leonard Inge at Florida A&M University.
Writer, activist, analyst, and photographer.
He is the primary voice and likely the “You’re Within The Norms” publisher.
Jack Folson RPh, Clinical Pharmacist:
Co-author of the article “SINCE WHEN HAS IT BECOME THE JOB OR THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DEA) TO DICTATE AND RE-DEFINE MEDICAL PROCEDURES and PROTOCOLS: “A REFLECTION””.
A registered pharmacist (RPh) and clinical pharmacist.
Provided a correction for the article’s text after its initial publication.
Leonard Inge:
“One of the greatest professors of Pharmacy known throughout the world.”
Taught Pharmacy Law and Compounding at Florida A&M University for 34 years.
Served 12 years on the Florida Board of Pharmacy.
President of The National Pharmacist Association.
Described as a “simple poor kid, youngest of 13 siblings, from Pritchard Al.”
His “homegoing” (funeral/memorial) was held on October 12, 2019.
Professor Sangu Delle:
A Ghanan Professor whose TED.com lecture is cited in the article.
His lecture focused on mental health in many African countries, specifically the stigmatization of the disease and traumatization of the afflicted due to ignorance.
Arboleda-Flores:
Conducted a study referenced by Professor Sangu Delle, which directly asked people about the causes of mental illness and found common misconceptions (drug misuse, divine wrath, witchcraft).
Benjamin Clementine:
A musician whose song “The Nemesis” (2015, London, England) is mentioned at the end of the article.
Ron Chapman II:
A defense lawyer mentioned in a linked article (“DAILY REMEDY: THE GOVERNMENTS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR ON PHYSICIAN/PHARMACIST: A DISCUSSION WITH DEFENSE LAWYER RON CHAPMAN II”), indicating he discusses the government’s actions against physicians and pharmacists. (No direct quote or detailed bio provided in the primary source).
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration):
The primary antagonist in the article, described as a “rogue agency” that has “lost its mission.”
Accused of dictating and redefining medical procedures, intruding into healthcare, and waging a campaign of misinformation regarding opioid medications.
Uses “threats and intimidation” including no-knock raids, arrests, forfeiture, and threats of prison time.
Alleged to employ “malicious law enforcement tactics” that “stigmatize the disease state and traumatize the afflicted,” particularly targeting “licensed professional people of color and the patients in their care,” which the authors liken to “medical redlining” or “Jim Crow.”
United States Attorney General’s Office:
Mentioned alongside the DEA as being involved in the “disturbing trend” of targeting medical practitioners and arresting them for dispensing legally prescribed medications.
Patients (specifically “patients of color”):
Described as victims of the DEA’s “Red Flag” policies and profiling by pharmacists.
Often uninsured or using cash/debit, leading to them being “Red Flagged” as abusers or criminals.
Report pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions or questioning their need for pain medication.
Forced to travel long distances to find pharmacies that will treat them fairly.
Pharmacists of large pharmacy chains:
Accused of profiling and refusing to fill prescriptions for patients of color, citing discomfort.
Often recommend over-the-counter medications without proper medical assessment.
Medical Practitioners (Nurses, Pharmacists, Physicians, Dentists, Drug Wholesalers):
