EX-PATIENT OF LUYAO SEEKS HELP OF SHERIFF

PORT ST. LUCIE -- A former patient of a doctor jailed on drug trafficking
charges turned himself in to the St. Lucie County sheriff's office because
he feared he would "injure himself or worse" without access to painkilling
drugs.

James Shaughnessy, 44, of 845 S.E. Airoso Blvd., met with Sgt. Rodney Black
in the lobby of the sheriff's office Wednesday and told Black he was a
patient of Asuncion Luyao and was "addicted to several drugs prescribed by
her," a sheriff's report states.

"Now that she was arrested and barred from the medical practice, he can no
longer get refills," the report states. "He said that he feels that without
the drugs, he will injure himself or worse due to the depression he has
from the lack of drugs."

Luyao, 60, was arrested March 26 on prescription drug trafficking and
related charges. The state Department of Health suspended her medical
license, citing complaints that drugs prescribed by the doctor "caused or
contributed to" the deaths of 12 patients.

At a court hearing Thursday, Assistant State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl called
Luyao a "drug doctor" as dozens of her supporters packed the room.

Shaughnessy reportedly was taking the elder Shaughnessy, a 12-year Port St.
Lucie resident. "This woman was just writing up prescriptions like they're
going out of style."

Shaughnessy, 73, said his son, who is unemployed and has no health
insurance, had been visiting Luyao for about a year.

"This woman, she was making an addict of people," the elder Shaughnessy said.

"He said, 'Dad, I can't handle it no more.' He was without medication due
to her being picked up ... He was climbing the walls."

Shaughnessy said his son was taken from New Horizons to Lawnwood Pavilion
in Fort Pierce.

He said his son is supposed to be released Monday from Lawnwood because of
"insufficient funds."