Doctor drug testing patients

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Doctors are trying to navigate the complicated world of medical marijuana, misuse of prescriptions and illegal drug abuse and it's leading to some sticky situations.

Newschannel 3's Ranji Sinha spoke to one Battle Creek doctor to get his take on the issue and how his practice is handling things.

The staff and doctors of one medical practice say they're going to screen for illegal drug use, as well as prescription drug abuse, and they say there's nothing wrong with that.

“There's been a lot of reaction, it's mixed. The more conventional person that doesn't use any chronic pain medication, they seem very supportive of it, they feel that there's been lots of misuse of medication,” said Dr. Mark Henry.

At Wattles Park Family Practice it's become policy to screen patients and dismiss them if they test positive for illegal drugs. They've let go of some patients already, and doctor Mark Henry says it's definitely prompted conversation with patients.

But he says there's been a major increase in illegal drug use like pot and that patients have tested positive for heavy cocaine use. Since patients sign an agreement to disclose those things, if they don't then they've violated the agreement.

“There are obviously people who use marijuana recreationally who haven't liked that,” said Dr. Henry.

How illegal drugs mix with prescribed medication is an issue for the medical practice, along with the growing problem of prescription drug diversion.

A DEA spokesperson in Detroit tells Newschannel 3 that people from outside West Michigan can come here, pose as a patient and then take prescriptions that can be re-sold or shared.

It's all illegal and something Dr. Henry says is happening.
 
“It is suspicious when somebody calls up and says they want to be a new patient, they take chronic pain medication and we try to obtain some history and they can be difficult,” said Dr. Henry.

And while Henry says dismissing patients is hard, he also says the lost business isn't hurting the bottom line.

“I'd like to say they should be honest with their physician about what they use both recreationally and also prescription, if they're given a prescription they should use the prescription as directed,” said Dr. Henry.

Doctor Henry says that he expects other practices to start using similar screening methods soon.