Author Archives: Debbie Penson
Two years after FBI raids, no indictments against sober home operators
Two years ago this morning, FBI agents descended on Good Decisions Sober Living, a rundown sober housing complex in West Palm Beach in search of evidence of insurance fraud, patient brokering and money laundering. In large portions of the county’s $1 billion recovery industry, hopes ran high that the exploitation of addicts for insurance… Read More »
Relapsed and forced out, sober home residents die in motels
Addicts who relapse while living in sober homes in Delray Beach, often are dumped into seedy motels, often still high. Without supervision, some continue the binge, overdose and die. That’s because Delray Beach, nationally known as a treatment destination, forbids sober home operators from immediately evicting addicts who have relapsed, a policy that sober… Read More »
State lets doctors accused of sexual abuse on patients keep practicing
Dawn Marie Basham answers the phone in tears. “You caught me at a rough moment,” Basham explains between sobs. Less than a week earlier, prosecutors had dropped charges against the Delray Beach doctor she said sexually assaulted her during an office visit. Basham feels alone, but she is far from it. Other women say they… Read More »
After losing her daughter to fake drug ‘treatment,’ she now seeks to save others
MAY 10, 2017 FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Five days after losing her daughter to a drug overdose in a South Florida sober home, Jennifer Flory found herself standing before a task force set up to investigate sober homes. “My daughter passed away on Thursday night and I’m coming here to get her stuff – and her – and… Read More »
‘Finally,’ Scott declares opioid epidemic a public health emergency
Responding to months of public outcry, Gov. Rick Scott declared a public health emergency Wednesday in the fight against the opioid epidemic, a sea change in what had been a hands-off approach by state officials to a crisis that has killed thousands. “Today I feel relief — relief that the voices of so many… Read More »
Sober home cleanup bill on path to OK after dangling all week
With a heavy dose of local lobbying, the bill to crack down on bad sober homes survived a key calendar call Wednesday to make it to the Senate floor Thursday. It must pass the Senate twice before lawmakers stop hearing bills on Friday. Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, whose task force shaped… Read More »
Get a second opinion—doctors usually aren’t right the first time
Even after four years of college, four of medical school, and three to seven more of residency, doctors still may not get diagnoses right on the first try. In fact, they’re more likely than not to be at least a little off. In a study published (paywall) April 4, researchers from the Mayo Clinic… Read More »
WHY COPS SHOOT
Chuck Wexler is the executive director of a group of police executives who study issues like use of force. He said a full third of police shootings nationwide are cases in which the suspect was unarmed or cases where police could have avoided putting themselves in harm’s way, like unnecessarily standing in front of… Read More »
County considers $1M for opioid fight
Palm Beach County commissioners will consider a variety of options Tuesday to combat the rampaging opioid epidemic, including the hiring of a senior-level administrative staffer, creating two new positions with the Medical Examiner’s Office and pouring $1 million into a range of treatment programs. Those options are among the recommendations of a 72-page report… Read More »
I knew who to call — but couldn’t save my daughter
One morning in November, while she was home getting ready for work, came a phone call that Easton had always dreaded — her adult daughter, Tasha McCraw, was dead of a suspected drug overdose. Tasha was 33. As the opioid crisis continues to claim thousands of lives, Easton’s struggles underscore the daunting challenges faced… Read More »
