Man Accused of Drug Abuse, Filling Prescriptions at Over 100 Pharmacies

Prescription drug abuse is overwhelmingly the number one cause of drug-related deaths in Oklahoma and now state narcotics agents believe they've identified and charged the chief abuser.

Thursday, December 17th 2009, 6:22 pm

By: News 9


By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

PURCELL, Oklahoma -- "A silent cancer" is what state narcotics agents are calling prescription drug abuse. They say prescription drug abuse is overwhelmingly the number one cause of drug-related deaths in Oklahoma and now they believe they've identified and charged the chief abuser.

A five month investigation by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has resulted in nine felony counts against a man the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics calls the state's top "doctor shopper." The man charged is Keith Knox Simmons, 28, a utility worker from Blanchard.

"This individual today since January of 2008 has gone to 195 medical professionals. 195. That's unacceptable," said OBN Director Darrell Weaver.

Simmons also allegedly filled the prescriptions, mostly for Loritab, at 105 pharmacies statewide, including the United Pharmacy in Purcell.

The District Attorney said Simmons was engaged in a pattern of criminal behavior, fraudulently obtaining pain pills in six cities in McClain and Garvin counties.

"Based on what we know through the investigation, he was using these for personal use," said McClain County D.A. Greg Mashburn.

The D.A. said Simmons' addiction grew to the point he was taking 60 pills a day.

The OBN said Simmons' crimes were uncovered by a monitoring program that tracks prescription filled in Oklahoma. Simmons may be the top "doctor shopper," but the OBN said he's not the only one.

Simmons has not been arrested. His lawyer plans to surrender him to authorities no later than tomorrow morning.

Read the affidavit summarizing Simmons' charges.

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