DanB wrote:Warning: unpopular viewpoint follows.
It sounds as if Mr. Corbettt is undeniably a great fellow, but what he did was phenomenally stupid and irresponsible. Firstly, it is not possible to have been prescribed Vicodin and not been made aware from the doctor, the pharmacist, and from labeling that its transfer is illegal and can land you in jail for a few months. This is basic common sense.
No. I have had opiates prescribed, and no mention was made by anyone of any thing of the sort. Is it likely because my medical people assumed I knew that? Sure. Did I know it? Yes. Do I think Dean Corbett knew, too? Probably, but there's no real way of knowing. That aside, if his side of the story is true, is it truly anything resembling drug trafficking? No. Of course not. It's a sign of our poor legal structure that any such thing could happen. It's often hard for people (especially pharmacists, of whom I know many) to believe, but this type of thing happens regularly. I've had friends and family offer me their drugs for chronic pain (I turn them down -- I avoid opiates). Were they hardened criminals? No. They were trying to be helpful. Is it wise? Probably not. Is it caring? Yes, it is.
Secondly, Mr. Corbett is a Chef and a businessman, not a doctor. There is a very good reason that only doctors, and not laymen, are allowed to prescribe and dispense addictive painkillers. Such drugs are heavily abused, and such abuse can lead to higher levels of addiction and even death.
It's a good thing most of that abuse comes from doctors prescribing drugs inappropriately, being the repositories of good knowledge and ethics they are.
Since Mr. Corbett is not a doctor, he's in no position to determine the other fellow's history of use, allergies, potential negative reactions, etc, etc.
You should probably give people a bit more credit for thinking things through. Your situation seems to be one where he knows nothing about the person, nor what he's already on. I'd offer a friend a beer, but not if he were an alcoholic; that doesn't mean by virtue of the fact I'd offer a beer to someone I am incapable of judging whether someone needs it or not. Perhaps slightly non-analogous, but mostly in the same vein.
Knowing what I do about the medical industry, I'd say that doctors have far less knowledge than you're giving them credit for, though, especially vis-a-vis potential side effects. Ask your friendly neighborhood pharmacist.
Now you may say, "but it's Bob, he's got cancer, I've known him for years, he wouldn't lie to me". That's all well and good. But it's equally possible to be compassionate on the one hand, and be smart, and stay within the law on the other.
I am assuming you follow every single law in all circumstances?
FWIW he does seem like a really good guy, and I hope the judge just smacks him upside the head and lets him get back to doing good things in the community.
/I know, I sound like my Dad
//Have done incredibly stupid things in my life too.
///No jailtime so far
////Fingers crossed.
All in all, nice post. Don't mean to sound as if I'm in complete disagreement, as I agree his actions were not very wise, but I think there's always four or five sides to every story, and more viewpoints to be considered than whether alternatively archaic or over-reactive laws should be the entire basis for our actions.