FROM THE FRONT LINES –

DEC. 20, 2024 – Research shows that at least 1 in 10 health care workers will develop a substance use disorder during their career. What about medical doctors? The recovery program has never included doctors, but the state board that licenses most doctors plans to push for one that focuses on early intervention and is disconnected from its disciplinary power. To protect patients, California passed a law in 2008 creating standards for each state licensing board detailing how they should manage workers dealing with addiction. These regulations include drug testing, restricting travel and psychiatric evaluations.

Some nurses say the rules are too harsh. That includes Bobbie Sage, who has never been diagnosed as an alcoholic but was charged with a misdemeanor in 2014 for driving under the influence. After completing three years of criminal probation without incident, her licensing board ordered her to complete an additional probation program.

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