An American Nightmare: My Doctor Uses Crystal Meth

Most of us are familiar with investigative television programs such as 60 minutes, "Nightline" on the ABC network and "Dateline" on NBC. I came across some startling news while watching an interview with a notorious drug dealer on television. Crystal Meth has become a very popular club drug. I was under the impression that the drug dealer had been selling crystal meth to teenagers. After all, it is an unfortunate reality that many American teenagers experiment with drugs. To my surprise, the drug dealer revealed that his clients included corporate workers and doctors. I was outraged after hearing that doctors were one of his top customers. It is a reality that doctors and nurses smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. Yet, they advise us as patients that we should not do so because it is an unhealthy habit.

To hear that doctors are using drugs such as crystal meth should be a cause for concern among the American public. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, individuals who use crystal methamphetamine may have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, confusion and insomnia. Imagine having a physician who is addicted to crystal meth. The use of illegal drugs can have negative effects on an individual's judgment and concentration. I am pretty sure that no American citizen wants to be treated by a doctor who uses drugs such as crystal meth. It is horrendous to know that doctors are using illegal drugs. The fact that we are unable to tell which doctors are using them is even more disturbing. It is a terrible fact that the doctors who use illegal drugs are able to do so because physicians are not being monitored by hospital administrators and health officials.