Trumps Doctor Accused of Handing Out Ambien. D.E.A. Calls the Practice Illegal.

[Julian Englis]

Source: N.Y. Times

Trips abroad with the president can be grueling for staff and journalists alike. Long hours, with stops in multiple time zones, are often the norm.

So it is not surprising that a political entourage might turn to Ambien, a sedative widely used as a sleep aid.

Still, regulators and medical experts were taken aback by allegations that Dr. Ronny Jackson, personal physician to President Obama and President Trump, handed out the pills to White House staff and to reporters on such trips.

The practice may have been accepted, but it is also illegal. “You could be prosecuted,” said Melvin Patterson, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/26/health/trump-doctor-ambien.html?smid=tw-nytpolitics&smtyp=cur

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I've known two doctors who have lost state licenses for less.

[hlthe2b]

1. Both ambien ("downer") and Provigil ("upper") are schedule IV so he may only get a slap on the wrist

from DEA (though the military might be a different matter); had it been Adderall (schedule II or narcotics) he'd be done.

[Julian Englis]

2. The real question: How will this affect his DEA number and state licenses?

Physicians need a DEA number to prescribe scheduled or controlled substances, such as benzodiazepine, stimulants, narcotics, and some sleep aid. The DEA may suspend or revoke his DEA number. The DEA may limit his ability (require special supervision) or put him on probation.

Further, any state medical board with which he holds a license may suspend, revoke or limit the license.

If his either of these happens to Dr. Jackson, he may lose his privileges to work as a Federal physician.

[hlthe2b]

3. He could lose his DEA license or at least have it suspended, but far more likely with schedule II

While it would be difficult to practice without a DEA license, it is not a requirement for state medical licensure, at least in most states... so depending on the state, a medical board might not become involved unless DEA was pushing for indictment. If convicted, he could certainly lose his medical license.

It is the military he needs to be most concerned with as their internal medical oversight hierarchy may no longer be willing to give him a pass.

[idahoblue]

4. He said he handed it out.

During the smoke blowing session about Donald’s superior physical health, he said he hands it out to staff on AF1. I had a WTF reaction at the time.

[idahoblue]

6. At minute 35:40 in the press conference.

[LeftInTX]

5. I wonder if he gave Ambien to Trump?

I don't believe Trump uses cocaine...sorry I do not. I also do not believe he has dementia.

Ambien could explain some of his incoherent stuff.

[murielm99]

8. I don't believe trump uses

recreational drugs. He may have a personality disorder.

I am about a year younger than trump. If I am tired or stressed, I have to sort my thoughts and words more carefully than I did maybe ten years ago.

I disagreed with someone else about drug use just a few minutes ago. If I am wrong, you can tell me and I will apologize. Part of my feeling is based on how he feels about alcohol and smoking. I think that might extend to drugs. The other part is having a mother who has a personality disorder, at least IMHO.

[pnwmom]

11. Would a personality disorder make Trump slur his speech like a drunk?

Though he doesn't drink, per all accounts.

Listen especially to how he says the last words: "the United States."

[murielm99]

16. You have a point.

We may find out that he has been abusing prescription drugs.

I have been thinking about the "interview" he gave on Fox. I watched their faces turn from smiling to blank to numb. They were trying to figure out how to cut trump off before he did any more damage to himself. Maybe he is just batshit crazy. Maybe he does abuse prescription drugs. I shouldn't put anything past him.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

17. I suspect he's stressed out.

Trump's not accustomed to this rigorous schedule and is totally accustomed to always having his way. This job is extremely stressful and he ain't always getting what he wants, so he could be showing signs of taking any number of prescription drugs. We'll probably never know for sure, but it is concerning that our so-called President not only has known mental problems, but can also be influenced by chemicals. Not a good combination.

....... ......... ........

[Corvo Bianco]

12. I think you're quite right about alcohol and street drugs.

But he took the doctor's drugs for his hairline and I don't see Donald showing any resistance to "fun" docs. He now has a favorite doctor whose MO is that of a drug pusher. Even if the medications are seemingly innocuous, like anti-depressants, some of those are meth in a tablet and do indeed make crazy people crazier (first-hand experience!).

[LeftInTX]

7. According to CNN:

Jackson told reporters in a January news conference that Trump himself takes Ambien "on occasion" on overseas travel.

OK...I think Trump takes Ambien more often than that.

[murielm99]

9. Okay.

I have already been proven wrong if he takes Ambien even once in a while. That is powerful stuff, and the side effects can be serious.

[Pepsidog]

10. Trump is the Black Plague of politicians. Toxic spreading misery and death.

[stuffmatters]

13. The Whte House should be treated as a crime scene & everybody including Trump drug tested frequently

"Uppers" and "Downers" no matter what schedule they are on are mind altering, judgment & behavior impairing addictive drugs.
(The idea that valium is "low" addiction risk is both outrageous and counter historical It was the FIRST
addictive prescription drug to addict huge swathes of America (eg suburban housewives in the 60's) as speed addicted many first as a diet pill. You can change the names to ambien & provil or whatever but they are still very dangerous drugs that need to be
prescribed case by case not handed out (and consumed) like candy.

When Dr Ronny gave his "medical report" on Trump, his speech pattern was both Trumplike (hyperbolic, rambling,manic,
grandiose) and extremely nervous, hopped up actually. I thought at the time how much both Doc and Patient had in common in terms of delivering textbook "speed7" speeches. Trump btw is known for having "had a problem" in the eighties for years of amphetamine use. If he really did finally kick his habit back then, giving him speed again is about as reckless as any doctor could be in ignoring the substance abuse vulnerability of the patient. And as far as Trump's concerned, consuming the "uppers"is tantamount to any alcoholic going relapsing "back on the sauce."

I've been in recovery for decades. Once it was only AA (before NA or CA), so I've known many who were substance dependent beyond alcohol...vallium/xanax, speed etc...who came to AA. My assessment on both Trump & his Doc's apparent addiction (from observing both's behaviors and speech patterns), are rooted in decades of familiarity with "white" collar prescription drug addicts.

My suspicion has been and remains that Trump did not "promote" Doc Ronny to VA Chief just to pay him back for that glowing, insane Presidential Physical Presser. It was to pay back his drug dealer for feeding his addiction and possibly quite a few others around him.
Up Down, Up Down goes Trump and the whole addled Bunch.

[tinymontgomery]

14. Nothing will hap

He'll be retired, no problem and with out any issues following him.

[riversedge]

15. At the very least, Jackson's Navy superious should be looking into these allegations.

[Sgent]

18. This is nuts

Ambien is a safe drug whose biggest side effects wouldn't be an issue on an airplane. Handing out 1-2 ambien for a trip isn't going to get anyone addicted, or most likely cause any other problems.

The two biggest safety issues with Ambien in the case of being on AF1 are if you have liver insufficiency or have moderate to severe depression. In neither case is one dose likely to cause a problem, and given the average age / career of a person on AF1 unlikely to be present.

Aspirin or advil would be more dangerous.