I went willlingly since I had no idea what they were talking about. I was interviewed by a couple of case workers and revealed too much about some past bad habits-there was a time I drank too much alcohol, but not any more. They concluded I was probably impaired based on behavior patterns and this resulted in my going to another Dr for an evaluation- he concurred with the first one ant I went to Rush Behavior center in Chicago and then to Talbott- Marsh Treatment center in Atlanta, even though I told them I had never taken Narcotics at any time in my life except when prescribed or abused alcohol while in Florida- It gets worse . I am awating action from the Pharmacy board which is almost a certainty I will lose my license. This could happen to YOU-Any suggestions?

None of the people considered my request for a polygraph, my sleep study that confirmed serious OSA, a hair test that was of course negative for the period in question. My apnea was immediately and dramatically treated with a CPAP. I wil not even get into my wifes recent hospitalization the Dr feels is greatly related to the stress this has put us under.

March 25, 1997

To Whom it may concern:

This is in response to an investigation notice AHCA case no. PSXXXXXX.

I vehemently deny that I am impaired, incompetent, or unfit to practice Pharmacy.

I do not know who the investigator was who filed the report with PRN. I know he was from Texas and had an impairment problem in his past. He interviewed a former employer and was reportedly very biased in his inquiry and appeared to be very disappointed that my former employer would not agree with his opinion I was drug dependent. He even gave a veiled threat for an audit if C. S.(name removed) would not agree with him. C. S. told him something to the effect that he could audit him if he wanted, but that he was not going to accuse T. (name removed) of something he did not suspect.

His biased report to PRN precipitated a cascade of events that can best be characterized as a nightmare for me and a total disbelief that such events could happen in any society.

I went to Dr. R. P. (name removed) and was interviewed by a couple of associates before seeing him for less than hour. I was open and honest in all of their questions, perhaps revealing too much about some of my traits in my past that I do not have anymore since moving to Florida and resolving to live an exemplary life, both personally and professionally, which cost me dearly in the past.

When he asked me if I knew why I was there, I told the only thing I could think of was in the abrasive way I some times am perceived in working with others. He then referred to some reports and told me that it seems that wherever I work, there seems to be missing schedule 2 drugs, specifically Percocet and Tylox. I am not responsible in any way for a single dose of such allegedly missing drugs. I was totally shocked and was panicking internally. I told him, as I told all those who followed, that in my thirty-six years in Pharmacy, I have never had a thought, desire, or urge to take any narcotics. My lifetime experience with narcotics is limited to an occasion when I was in Pharmacy school when I was given Demerol for intercostal neuritis, a hemorrhoidectomy in the early eighties, and following orthoscopic surgery in April 1996. I had a prn order for percocet in the hospital and refused any until I was preparing to go home and took one. I was given a prescription for eighteen and took only two. The balance was still in my bottle and taken to Atlanta where they were destroyed at Talbott-Marsh. I have never taken any drug for its effect or a desire for the sensation addicts describe. My lifetime supply of narcotics could fit into a 13 dram prescription vial, I am confident, and all were prescribed. I disagreed with his assessment and upon advice from my attorney, sought a second opinion with a therapist. He appeared more concerned with Dr. P.’s (name removed) report and concurred with it. I then went to Rush Behavioral Institute after being assured they would be objective and fair. They focused on behavior patterns of my past and could not be certain, but concluded it was probable I was substance dependent, based on personality traits. Next I went to Talbott-Marsh treatment center in Atlanta for a week. I had told them prior to going I was not alcohol of chemically dependent, but they told me to come on anyway and they felt certain they could make that determination. I attended many sessions with psychiatrists and therapists and groups. I again told them I could not admit to a problem I did not have and no amount of treatment would change the fact that I had never taken narcotics. The psychiatrist shook his head told me that this was very sad, Mr. A.(name removed), you are at a place that could really help you and all I had to do was admit to my problem that was evident to everyone but me in my state of denial. The day I left against medical advice was when he told me that Talbott was unable to help me and that I should transfer to the Minninger Clinic, a place equipped to treat someone with my problems. When he assured me I would be accompanied to my seat on the plane and someone would be there to meet me for my safety, I told him it was time for this charades to be over and I was leaving. At this time my wife was not well and getting worse. I was very concerned for her and came home. On this 25 day of March 1996, she is in Baptist Hospital undergoing tests. Her Dr. says that some or all of this could be due to the enormous stress we are under. Alcohol abuse is also suspected. Since coming to Florida my usage has decreased to the point I rarely drink. I do not drink when I am upset anymore. Many times my wife and I pour up a drink and I pour it out. I do not have those anxieties and contradictions which prompted alcohol in my past. Several admitted alcoholics at Talbott agreed I was not an alcoholic. Since December 13^th I have only had two drinks on New Years Eve and with weekend guests in January.

At no point in all of this did I talk to a single person who appeared willing to consider that I may be telling the truth. They all focused on anything that would support a dependent personality. They would not consider my constant request for a polygraph. They would not consider the hair test I took and was negative for the six months prior to December 1996. They concluded I was not being truthful. They did not contact anyone who knows me well, including family, neighbors, people I have worked with. All of whom cannot believe what is happening.

They discounted the documented sleep study I underwent in

November 1995

which confirmed my severe obstructive sleep apnea condition that I was not aware of. I was going to sleep at work, on the road, could not concentrate, and in retrospect agree that I was impaired by this sleep deprivation. I thought I may have chronic fatigue syndrome until I read about apnea in the newspaper and went for a diagnosis. My apnea worsened after I started gaining weight in 1993.

My CPAP gave me immediate and dramatic results. I no longer have any of the symptoms and feel like a completely different person. I have used it every night since 31 October, 1995.

I cannot help but believing my condition at work led someone to suspect I was on drugs. I was working at Eckerd one day when I saw my supervisor observing me for period of time. He later called the support personnel to the back for a long interview. He would not tell me anything except to go home because he said I was not able to work. I was very tired and not feeling well. I later saw one of the people he talked to and asked her what it was about. She told me she could not tell me, but that I should really be very careful, that they were really after me. It made no sense to me at the time, but does now that I am aware of the suspicions and rumors.

I recall talking to a board member on the phone when working in Palatka. We talked about the tragic cases he heard and I remarked to him that it was a very good feeling to leave a store every night with the knowledge that I had not done anything remotely illegal or unethical. It is also a good feeling to know that I feel the same way in my personal, spiritual, and family life and that my commitment to being that person I always knew I could be is being realized since my coming to Florida.

I am presently seeing a therapist to help me not get into an unhealthy state of mind. During all of this I have remained in good spirits, confident it would soon be favorably resolved. I do not know what I can do more than telling the truth. I will do anything you suggest to help you in any further questions. Your consideration is appreciated.