Opinion ID: 2968392
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Leslie Smith

Text: Leslie Smith sought treatment from Appellant specifically to obtain prescription painkillers. J.A. 176. Smith traveled sixty miles each way to see Appellant after learning that he had readily prescribed drugs to one of Smith’s friends. J.A. 175-76. Smith testified that he lied to Appellant about pain in his wrist, but that Appellant prescribed high doses of OxyContin and Dilaudid, the drugs that Smith requested, 6 UNITED STATES v. MCIVER without ordering x-rays. J.A. 178, 180-183. At trial, Smith admitted that he was a drug addict and injected these drugs to satisfy his habit. J.A. 176. Evidence indicates that Appellant was aware of Smith’s drug use; Appellant discovered a syringe in Smith’s possession during a visit, but on being told that Smith used it for fishing, continued to prescribe Smith’s drugs. J.A. 185. Appellant eventually became sufficiently suspicious that Smith was either using or selling his medications to write to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to express those concerns. J.A. 180-81, 684. Appellant, however, continued prescribing drugs to Smith after writing the letter. J.A. 181-82.