Doctor’s Opioid Arrest Prompts Warning For Fentanyl Risk

JUST ANOTHER DRUG DEALER –

April 23, 2023 – According to court documents, Okafor distributed oxycodone to people outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose from his medical practice in Washington, D.C. The federal indictment said Okafor performed only cursory evaluations of people, and solicited and received cash in the examination rooms of his clinic in exchange for opioid prescriptions.

If convicted, Okafor faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

The Maryland Department of Health issued a news release that Okafor’s arrest may affect healthcare access for Marylanders. When patients suddenly lose access to their healthcare provider, they may feel they have no other options but to turn to other sources of pills or drugs to avoid withdrawal, which may contain lethal substances, such as fentanyl, the agency said in its release.

“Getting medications from anywhere other than your pharmacist can be dangerous. People make and sell pills that look the same as the ones you get from the pharmacy and even experts have a hard time telling the difference,” MDH said. “These pills often contain deadly substances like fentanyl, an opioid more than 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl can cause an accidental overdose. Always have naloxone (Narcan) nearby.”