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* The setup…
An Illinois lawmaker charged with drunken driving has agreed to have his pharmacy license placed on probation and to undergo random drug tests.
Rep. Ron Stephens also will enter an addiction counseling program.
If Stephens tests positive for drugs or alcohol, his license will be suspended for a year or more.
The Greenville Republican was arrested in Macon County in March. His blood-alcohol content was 0.101, compared to the legal limit of 0.08.
Rep. Stephens’ pharmacist license was put on probation in 2001 after he admitted to drug addiction.
* The Question: Was Stephens’ punishment proper, too much or insufficient? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:03 pm
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If that is what he needs to keep himself clean, then it’s proper. It is pretty likely that he made this deal and negotiated it, recognizing it had political and personal implications.
Comment by A.B. Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:07 pm
I think it’s a little on the lenient side but basically proper. This is his second go-round with probation. The next time will be his third time, so he should lose it for longer than a year if he gets a third strike.
The dude needs some help though and I hope he gets it.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:11 pm
Seeing as how no one was hurt in this incident (not that that excuses it) I’m wondering if IL-GOP will send out mailers into Stephens’ district with cars wrapped around trees and stats on deaths related to drunk driving. Maybe they’ll even print his full drivers license number and home address for all to see.
Oh, wait. They only do that to Dems.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:13 pm
Answer the question, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:15 pm
PS - It’s wholly insufficient. This is his 2nd strike and his Rx license should be suspended now. The proposed 3rd strike is also insufficient. Rather than a suspension it should be revoked.
What if he were filling Rxs while intoxicated? Might be difficult to distinguish .40 from 40 with blurred vision and impaired thinking.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:16 pm
I feel bad for Stephens. Alcoholism is a hardship. He needs help. This blog post probably makes it harder for him because it’s so embarrassing.
Comment by 2010 Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:19 pm
It seems pretty fair. He’s an addict and that’s obviously a risk in a pharmacy setting. It doesn’t take away his livelihood entirely, but holds him accountable.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:23 pm
About right. This is the 2nd time so there should definitely be some suspension for a year or two. If it happens a 3rd time, it should be revoked.
FWIW on the political front, I think DUIs and histories of alcoholism, etc. are relevant on a case by case basis. If the candidate is currently struggling with it and/or there’s a clear recent pattern then I’d say it’s fair game. It may impair their ability to do their job and give a bunch of leverage to strong-arm votes.
But if it’s a one-off scenario or if the person’s been in recovery for several years where it’s clear a good track record has developed and the person is contrite, then I think it’s pretty bogus to try to whack ‘em over the head for that.
Comment by John Galt Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:33 pm
Some background and context would help. Don’t pharmacists, doctors and dentists have some of the highest addiction rates among all professions? They certainly have the means.
The guy probably was doing drugs on top of that alcohol. So he could have been more impaired than the blood test revealed.
Frequent, random drug and alcohol testing are in order. The guy probably deserves a second chance.
Comment by Vole Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:36 pm
*edit*
I didn’t realize he just received probation. Probation & monitoring was appropriate for the first offense. For this 2nd offense he should suffer at least some automatic suspension of the license.
Comment by John Galt Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Too lenient. He ought to face a long sentence listening to Rob_N’s political nonsense.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:38 pm
Probation and monitoring seems appropriate given that his last offense was almost a decade ago.
whoever watches pharmacists should probably un some extra surprise checks on his pharmacies, review inventory control etc.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:44 pm
A bit lenient for a second, there had better not be a third. Would YOU want YOUR RX filled by the guy? We dropped Walgreens and switched to CVS for our meds the day after we looked in our son’s pill bottle and found a spare Darvocet we didn’t ask for, in his ALLERGY MEDS. Not the kind of customer rewards bonus program we were looking for. If Stephens was in a job without such direct influence on people’s health and safety, I would be more forgiving. But it’s not just driving on the road where he can be a danger, if he falls off the wagon again. That’s the difference.
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:46 pm
===
Don’t pharmacists, doctors and dentists have some of the highest addiction rates among all professions? They certainly have the means.
===
Same thing with attorneys and presumably politicians.
It isn’t really the means or the professions that cause the addiction per se. Rather, I think a certain type of addictive personality tends to be drawn to those types of jobs. All-or-nothing thinking; perfectionists; high ego/low self-esteem; people pleasing; control freaks; overly status conscious.
Comment by John Galt Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:50 pm
It’s not just once or twice…at least not publicly. Anyone notice how Stephens has migrated east during his political career? Caseyville, Troy, Highland, Greenville now Mulberry Grove. And as Rich noted at the time of his arrest, it’s not an isolated incident. Stephens is now doing his mea culpas, showing up at city council meetings to apologize for his DUI–following the playbook.
So I say it’s high time Ron hang up his pharmacist apron and surrender his license. The punishment was too lenient.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 1:01 pm
seems a little light for a second offense. Im sure thier was a fine and some court costs. the punishment needs to be a deterint and not ruin his life, a tough balance.
Comment by Fed up Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 1:03 pm
Seems like an actual suspension is appropriate for a second offense. But, he shouldn’t be punished any more or less than what another pharmacist would be in the same situation, so it’s tough to answer out of context.
VQ - Just a guess, but I’ll bet he’s migrated east because his district has. When he was first elected, he had a metro east district and I think Hoffman beat him. Now it is decidedly more south-central, and probably will move more when the map is redrawn (that is, if he still has a district in the new map).
Comment by Thoughts... Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 1:15 pm
It is probably a proper sentence given that he didn’t hurt anybody and while he was legally over the limit he wasnt crazy over it like a lot of people are. Still, what has always bugged me about Ron Stephens is that he is the first guy to jump on somebody else’s misfortune or to turn on his microphone and blather on about tougher sentences for drug addicts and repeat offenders.Hypocrite. I wish they would have made shutting up a condition of his probation.
Comment by raising kane Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 1:20 pm
Fair, under the circumstances. One more and it is time for him to lose his career as a pharmacist.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 1:57 pm
No it’s not a fair sentence…. It should be the other way around…Clean - up his act…for a decent period of time…and then he may earn his licence to drive back. It is documented that he has a problem…so why wait for a third documented incident … in which…he could possibly hurt or kill someone else?! I do not understand the logic in waiting until something happens again…. too often innocent people pay the price in such cases…instead of the violator.
Comment by I vote no.... Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:03 pm
It would be interesting to know if he will have to have a Breath interlock ignition device installed on his vehicle.
Comment by always anonymous Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:05 pm
It seems Mr. Stephens has shown that he believes he can disregard the law whenever he sees fit, given his past, infamous refusal to follow the law to fill contraceptive prescriptions for women.
If he doesn’t take the law seriously, then he needs to learn more about consequences. Maybe then he will.
Comment by George Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:08 pm
My guess is that since he is away from the pharmacies that he owns while out being the state rep, that he has enough employees dishing out the drugs. But it may be easier or maybe even required that he hold a license in order to be the owner.
It would be interesting to see what other pharmacists have received as punishment for having DUI’s. Or what guidelines the board has to follow. I say probation is the correct ruling since it has been 10 years since his last infraction.
On the other hand, if it was just his personality they had to judge him on I would say his license should be revoked. Especially his after hours persona. There were more than a few times I witnessed his antics that, with only the good judgement of others, he didn’t end up with a bloody nose.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:16 pm
First drugs, and now alcohol. I suspect that drugs are still an issue since he was ordered back to rehab & random drug tests. He should have lost his license. Doesn’t public safety outweigh his being a part-time pharmacist?
Comment by Highland, IL Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:21 pm
The folks focused on this being a second offense seem to be skimming over the rather large time gap. When youhave almost a decade go past with no problems it seems you are more on your first offense.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:26 pm
Not that is matters anyway…he hasn’t practiced pharmacy or owned a pharmacy for about 10 years.
The only reason to even go through the process of the probation of license is that to get re-licensed after 30+ years being out of pharmacy school is close to impossible. Once you have the piece of paper you NEVER give that up. If he ever loses this made to order district he could at least try to get a job with a chain. They will hire any warm body hence Gregor’s comments.
Once all is said and done his pension from the State will be much greater than that which can be earned being a pharmacist. The only reason to get behind “the bench” will be for something to do to get out of the house.
Comment by BIG R.PH. Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:26 pm
Stephens is my State Rep. I was amazed that people re-elected him after his drug problem and now he is unopposed. What does it say for our political system when someone like this can continue to “serve” the people and run without any opposition. This was a light sentence and he should have lost his license. I wonder if the same would have happened with the regular guy down the street. My hunch is no.
Comment by Vandalia Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:34 pm
Whether the sentence is appropriate depends in part upon his drinking habits. I wonder what his reputation is in Springfield after hours? He seems pretty self-righteous in castigating Democrats.
Comment by Reformer Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:50 pm
Relapse is a reality in recovery. It was fair, ….but it always amazed me that he was NOT an advocate for funding drug/alcohol treatment. Come on, Ron, not all addicts have the insurance coverage that Reps do to pay for their treatment.
Comment by Former State Employee Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:54 pm
Too severe
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 2:55 pm
does his pharmacy get Medicaid funds?
Comment by really?? Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:03 pm
@ - Vole - Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 12:36 pm:
“The guy probably was doing drugs on top of that alcohol. So he could have been more impaired than the blood test revealed.”
How are you allowed to post something salacious like this…something you have no evidence of? You don’t know anything more about the circumstances surrounding Rep. Stephens’ arrest than you have read. Did you read that he was impaired by drugs at the time? NO.
Comment by heet101 Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:06 pm
Seems a bit misdirected. I’d like to see the man get treatment and into recovery but until he does, I don’t want him on the road. His DL should be restricted, if not suspended for some period.
Comment by Indeedy Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:15 pm
Too lenient. He has a substance abuse problem. He has to give up the pharmacy license. How hard is that?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:22 pm
All this means is that he has been caught twice in a decade. It seems from some who post here who have more intimate knowledge of Stephens that he appears to have had problems right along. It shouldn’t matter that it will be difficult to get his license back at this late stage of his “career”. A person who has the kind of responsibility he has to dispense medications that can kill as easily as they can treat is an “accident” waiting to happen. Too lenient.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:22 pm
Probation seems a little light here. Without knowing the specifics of the testing program, I wonder just how effective it will be. As noted by others, he’s been caught doing things that threaten others’ lives.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:36 pm
Vanilla,
Get back to me when the Republicans pull exactly that kind of “political nonsense” on your friend.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:38 pm
I think the punishment is suitable, based on current law. Although I think the DUI laws should be much tougher. However, I’m seeing people refer to him as an alcoholic. Is this a known fact? Or did he just have 1 too many and then get behind the wheel (as evidenced by his .01 BAC)?
Comment by eastsider Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:40 pm
Context is everything. this sentence looks too light with the
90/90 sentence to LiLo in California. sure, it’s Hollywood
gossip, and another jurisdiction, but he got off light, and
she did not. they both have a pattern, he has a public position.
and he’s getting a PHARMACY license placed on probation…
AGAIN?!? someone with a license to deal legally should be
hit harder than he got hit.
so how did he do on voting for pharmacy related matters?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:45 pm
oh, but for the snark……..Illinois Pharmacist Public Official
with a Conviction Hall of Fame…..a governor and a state rep. oh the shame.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 3:48 pm
Will the Daily Show do a follow-up story?
Comment by chuckT Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:05 pm
eastsider,
That BAC should read 0.10%, not .01. The legal limit in Illinois is 0.08%. One over the limit is more than the limit, is it not? Should we have gradated punishments based on how much over the limit a driver is?
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:17 pm
I think some you here are missing the point of his probation. This is not punishment for his DUI from the court. He already plead guilty and received supervision. This is from the state regulators who had a hearing on his pharmacist license.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:21 pm
Technically this is not a second offense. His first probation was for drugs, not alcohol. There is a significant difference. Docs, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals may be more likely to abuse drugs because of their access to them. But we all have access to alcohol. Probation is appropriate.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:24 pm
The cops should have just drove him home and we wouldnt be having this discussion now….. He got a lighter sentenance then normal guy would have gotten…come one hes a state rep for gods sake!
Comment by dumb ol' country boy Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:24 pm
The best sentence would be for his constituents to vote him out but since that never seems to happen the sentence seems light.
Comment by someonehastosayit Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:25 pm
This is at least the second time around for RxRon.
Like Rush he skated on the first perscription drug scandal. No one is asking what is he doing bouncing off the curbs in Decatur which is about 2 hours from his home.
No one asked for the video. Media snoozin ?
He should be walking and kept as far way from a drug store as possible. Drugs and booze are the same. The I in DUI is Influence.
This is a guy who hoots and hollers about every sentencing law that his the House floor.
If Bill Black is tossed from leadership for doing the right thing why does StateWideTom continue to slip him the big check?
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:57 pm
I don’t see that the alcohol addiction and the pharmacy lisc. are linked, so I”m not sure I like that aspect. If there is evidence of the addiction relating to the pharmacy, then it would be reasonable.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 4:57 pm
DP
You better get new glasses
the first skate was over perscription drug usage
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 5:20 pm
I am done with this blog. My comment about a totally inappropriate comment made by Vole gets deleted, but the inappropriate and non-fact based comment by Vole stays. What the heck? Explain that to me?
Comment by heet101 Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 7:14 pm
nevermind. i guess i didn’t look hard enough. more humble pie please….
Comment by heet101 Wednesday, Jul 7, 10 @ 7:15 pm
Way too soft.
And an obvious question would be, how would a pharmacist under identical circumstances but who WASN’T a state rep who I bet has been very good to the industry as a legislator be treated by the regulatory folks?
Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Jul 8, 10 @ 11:07 am