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New Jersey Report Links Corrupt Doctors To Drug Abuse

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A new state report finds illicit medical practices run by unscrupulous entrepreneurs and corrupt physicians are fueling prescription drug and heroin abuse and distribution in New Jersey.

The State Commission of Investigation report out Wednesday says underground drug operations are taking place in parking lots, schools and intersections.

Investigators found Medicaid patients and drug addicts in Newark were regularly taken to a doctor, where they got unnecessary prescriptions for painkillers.

That doctor, who had ties to Russian organized crime, would hand patients a $10 gift card as a thanks.

The report also found that during a 19-month period, a chiropractic office in Camden prescribed Oxycodone with an estimated street value of nearly $10 million.

The commission is proposing stronger oversight of the medical community and tougher penalties for offenders.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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