A Maine physician was detained today in Kennebunk on criminal charges related to her supposed prohibited circulation of opioids and other controlled compounds.
According to court files, Merideth C. Norris, D.O., 52, of Kennebunk, apparently recommended opioids, and other controlled compounds, outdoors the typical course of professional practice and without a genuine medical function. Due to her harmful recommending, as a condition of her release, Norris can not recommend any Set up II-V controlled compounds.
Norris is charged in an indictment with 10 counts of prohibited circulation of opioids and other controlled compounds. The accused made her preliminary court look on Oct. 26. If founded guilty, she deals with an optimum charge of twenty years in jail on the leading counts. A federal district court judge will figure out any sentence after thinking about the U.S. Sentencing Standards and other statutory aspects.
Assistant Attorney General Of The United States Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Lawyer Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine; Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Providers Workplace of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Administrator Anne Milgram of the DEA; and Unique Representative in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI Boston Field Workplace made the statement.
The HHS-OIG, DEA, and FBI are examining the case.
Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Kilby Macfadden and Trial Lawyer Patrick Queenan and Thomas Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Scams Area are prosecuting the case.
The New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force runs as a collaboration in between district attorneys and information experts of the Criminal Division, district attorneys with the U.S. Lawyers’ Workplaces in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, and unique representatives and detectives with HHS-OIG, DEA, FBI, and other federal and state police, consisting of the State Medicaid Scams Control Units. The objective of the NEPO Strike Force is to recognize and examine health care scams plans in the New England area, and to efficiently and effectively prosecute people included in the prohibited circulation of prescription opioids and other recommended controlled compounds.
Information about offered treatment programs is offered as follows:
Maine: The Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Security ( OPTIONS) effort is a collaborated effort of the Maine Workplace of Behavioral Health (OBH) and other state firms to enhance the health of Mainers utilizing compounds through damage decrease strategies, assisting them on the road to recovery, and significantly lowering the number of deadly and non-fatal drug overdoses. Go to https://knowyouroptions.me If you or a loved one are having a hard time with opiate addiction, please contact 211 to receive help and discover information about regional treatment programs.
New Hampshire: For a recommendation to addiction treatment services, please call 211. If you or a loved one is in a substance use crisis, please call or text the New Hampshire Rapid Reaction Gain Access To Point at 1-833-710-6477 New Hampshire citizens can call and speak to trained and caring clinical staff 24 hr a day, 7 days a week.
Vermont: No matter where in Vermont you are, there are resourcesto help Vermont 211 ( https://vermont211.org/) is offered. To speak to somebody about substance use resources consisting of treatment options, call VT Helplink 802-565-LINK ( toll complimentary at 833-565-LINK) or see online at VTHelplink.org, and Vermont Alcohol and Abuse Programs 802-651-1550 All information and recommendation services are complimentary and personal.
For people looking for help in other states, please call the Drug Abuse and Mental Health Providers Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP ( 4357 ) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 This service provides recommendations to regional treatment centers, support system, and community- based companies.
An indictment is simply an accusation. All offenders are presumed innocent up until tested guilty beyond a sensible doubt in a court of law.