CHARGES IN MASSIVE DRUG SCAM

A Pembroke woman has been charged with 414 counts of double doctoring after
it was alleged she fraudulently obtained prescription narcotic drugs.

The OPP drug enforcement section and the health fraud team of the
anti-rackets section laid the charges after an investigation indicated the
woman visited 11 doctors and five pharmacies in the Pembroke area between
June and December The woman obtained 2,419 pills of prescription narcotic
drugs and billed the Ontario Drug Benefits Program.

Charged is Shelly Lynn Roesler, 34. She is also charged with fraud under
$5,000 and will appear in Pembroke court on Aug. 19.

'ABUSE' OF NARCOTICS

The OPP health fraud team consists of 28 officers investigating allegations
of health care fraud on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

"There are some concerns in society and with the Ministry of Health with
regards to the abuse of prescription narcotics," said Det. Staff Sgt. Dave
Ross.

Double doctoring is an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
in which an individual obtains a prescription for a narcotic drug without
disclosing to the prescribing physician that they had seen another physician
in the past 30 days.

"There is an onus on the patient to disclose that to the doctor," said Ross.