Missouri Senator Schaaf: 'If they overdose and kill themselves, it just removes them from the gene pool'

(MYRTLE BEACH SC) - I have written articles for Salem-News.com referencing "Flamingo Road" -- the pipeline of prescription drugs that travels up the east coast from Florida to the New England states. www.salem-news.com/articles/march112012/fda-oxy-holder-ms.php

Florida has been vigorously closing "pill mills" in an effort to stem the prescription drug epidemic in their state. Although they should be commended for their diligence in closing these storefront clinics that hand out dangerous and addictive narcotics that are mass manufactured to addict and kill, what is going on with the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program?

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program was set up to be used by physicians and pharmacists to determine if their patient(s) were "doctor shopping" and having multiple prescriptions filled for dangerous drugs such as OxyContin or Xanax. It is said that it takes approximately one minute for this information to be available to the medical profession. There are a couple of problems with this Prescription Drug Monitoring Program though -- it is not required to be used and the majority of medical professionals in Florida are not utilizing this life-saving program. Beyond sad -- downright criminal and lives and families are being destroyed in Florida because the program "is not required to be used."

The Tampa Bay Times revealed that since the launch of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Florida on September 1, 2011 more than 48 million prescriptions have been written in Florida for controlled substances — that's about 2.5 for every man, woman and child in the state. Prescribers, however, checked the database before writing just 2 percent of them.

• Among physicians in the Tampa Bay area permitted by the federal government to prescribe these potent drugs, fewer than one in 12 has ever used the database.

• A Times reporter surveyed all 91 local pain-management clinics registered with the state and that appeared to be in business. Fewer than half reported using the program. Employees at 46 of the clinics declined to answer questions or did not respond to calls. One acknowledged never using the program.

Currently there are only a couple of states that do not have a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in place, or mandated, -- one is Missouri -- and it is likely that Missouri will be taking the title once held by Florida as the "Pill Mill Capital" of the U.S.

There is an elected State Senator of Missouri by the name of Rob Schaaf hailing from St. Joseph and representing District 34. A bill was introduced to combat the black market of prescription drugs diverting from the "Flamingo Pipeline" of Florida to Schaaf's State of Missouri. But Senator Schaaf had a problem with a prescription drug monitoring program in his state -- so much so that Schaaf led an eight hour filibuster on the Senate floor which killed the bill.

If you're wondering why Senator Schaaf would go to the extreme of killing a bill which would fight the prescription drug epidemic in his state maybe this will make his concerns at not saving lives clearer to you. Schaaf is a supporter of stricter seat belt laws because people hurt in car crashes cost the government and also violate other people's liberties.

Read more here: http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/laughing-missouri-backstabbing-kansas/#storylink=cpy Bizarre? Well consider this -- Schaaf was quoted as saying this about prescription drug users -- "If they overdose and kill themselves, it just removes them from the gene pool."

First, the good senator is a Director of the Missouri Doctors Mutual Insurance Company (a major contributor to his 2010 Senate run) -- conflict of interest if a prescription drug monitoring program is put into law in Missouri? Well maybe not so much a conflict of interest as having a financial impact on the insurance company he serves as a board member. Schaaf also is Vice Chair of Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee for his Senate District. Families? Has he noticed what is happening to families throughout the country in prescription drugs being over-manufactured and over-prescribed?

Oh did I mention that Schaaf is also a family practice physician? So why would a physician seeing addiction and death first hand in the medical profession make such a callous and sick statement as drug users killing themselves and being removed from the gene pool? No one would ever make such a cruel statement as that unless there was some kind of motive behind it -- it's not like Schaaf is worried about his gene pool. Although maybe he should be -- you know having children as he does. No excuse Senator Schaaf, but the voters in Missouri will be reminded of your gene pool at the time of your re-election.

If you are outraged at Senator Schaaf's coarse comment about the "gene pool", feel free to let him know by calling his legislative staff - Chris Dunn or Diane Koestner at 573-751-2183. Maybe in November 2014 when Schaaf is up for re-election the voters will throw him into the "gene pool" without a life preserver and remove him from the Senate floor -- what better way to send him a message that our children are dying because of a Holocaust of prescription drugs drowning families in Missouri -- and Senator Schaaf is no lifeguard.

LP - For letting me know all about mailboxes and keeping me focused on the real issues -- I pass the throne to you and love you.

Marianne is a nurse having graduated in 1991 as president of her graduating class. She also has a Paralegal certification. Marianne served on a Community Service Board for the Courier News, a Gannet newspaper in NJ writing articles predominantly regarding AIDS patients and their emotional issues. She was awarded a Community Service Award in 1993 by the Hunterdon County, NJ HIV/AIDS Task Force in recognition of and appreciation for the donated time, energy and love in facilitating a Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS.

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Anonymous November 2, 2014 10:55 am (Pacific time)

I hope people in MO are not stupid enough to vote for this guy again. He also said if he was a terrorist he would infect himself with ebola and cross in over the mexican border and infect as many people as possible. This is not the first questionable comment by him.

Cheryl D. October 16, 2012 1:45 pm (Pacific time)

I pray and hope that he never has to go through this. Addiction is a brain disease and has no boundaries...no matter who you are(Senator).

Scott October 15, 2012 7:35 pm (Pacific time)

WOW! What an ignorant and disturbed person. Thank God many people in Mass are addressing Drug Addiction as a Disease and are trying to Educate our children on drug prevention and help our addicts get into Recovery.

MSpra October 16, 2012 10:07 am (Pacific time)

This man is vice chair of the Health Committee? I am very glad he does not represent me or my family. I left a message at his office and it was not one he will want to talk about.

Douglas Benson October 16, 2012 9:45 am (Pacific time)

Really? Just how do you propose to stop addicts from getting drugs? How do you enforce the law that says doctors must treat pain adequately handed down fro m the sup court , fight addiction and crack down on prescriptions ? This writer has yet to answer that question . We must start treating addiction as a health problem not a matter of law enforcement. Either manage thier addiction and let them kill themselves slowly with no legal penalties or offer them treatment. This would remove the money from drugs which is what this is all about. Addicts must support thier habit and that means creating new ones to sell to so they can support thier own. It only makes sense to treat those that are unwilling to quit and offer treatment to those that are. Yes that means some idiots will kill themselves with drugs and that is unfortunate ,but you cant stop that. Peace

Pat Connelly October 16, 2012 8:22 am (Pacific time)

Reading this article makes it crystal clear why Senator Schaaf is so opposed to the prescription medication bill. He is NOT representing/protecting the people of Missouri; he is protecting his personal interest – money! In 2012, it amazes me that a medical professional or public official in the USA could be so ignorant to make the following comment, “If they overdose and kill themselves, it just removes them from the gene pool." Senator Schaaf gene pool seems questionable to me. One of the reasons it is necessary to monitor prescription is because of doctors that are just into making money by writing scripts, or don’t understand how easy it is to become addicted to some medications. Many people have become addicts under the care of a doctor. Maybe Senator Schaaf should get educated on what addiction is all about! His comments only tell the world he is ignorant and has no compassion. Missouri should monitor the good Senator’s prescription practices, he is probably one of those doctors that are getting people addicted to medications.

Towny girl October 16, 2012 1:41 am (Pacific time)

It is just a matter of time before this effects the senator's life. To judge and make such ignorant statements will come back to bite you foe sure. He should be held accountable now and not wait for 2013.

Theresa October 15, 2012 6:04 pm (Pacific time)

I feel sorry for the citizens of this senator’s state. Is he kidding? Does he know any family that is struggling with addiction? Why does he not go after the real criminals, the pharma companies that manufacture and sell these drugs? There are many wonderful individuals that suffer from addiction. Does he not know that this is a disease? Do all people who suffer from a disease deserve to die so they are out of the gene pool? Please do not vote for this ignorant man.

Irene October 15, 2012 6:04 pm (Pacific time)

Mr. Senator, You have much blood on your hands both as a physician by prescribing these drugs to kill our children from your office and as a Senator killing the children in your own state. SHAME ON YOU! How do you lay down your head at night and say "Job well done today". You disgust me! I wouldn't wish this FAMILY disease on anyone, not even you. Maybe you need to step down as a Senator! If I was a Missourian I certainly would be asking you to!

mom of user October 15, 2012 5:49 pm (Pacific time)

So sad to hear comments like that. Let's hope he never has it touch his family like it's touched ours.

Diannne October 15, 2012 5:23 pm (Pacific time)

Shame on him and for any of the ignorant people who may agree with him, I guarantee there is someone you know that is suffering from some type of addiction. I am also very concerned about someone talking about "gene pools". Reminds me of certain stupid groups that only want certain types of people roaming the earth...! God help the people of MO.

Nancy October 15, 2012 3:02 pm (Pacific time)

How could the Senator make such a ignorant and cruel comment? Obviously he must be a well educated man to accomplish what he has in his life. It's frightening, beyond words, to think this man is involved in making policies that drastically impact people's lives. I cannot believe that he is a primary care physician. OMG!!!

Ann October 15, 2012 12:30 pm (Pacific time)

To Douglas Benson and Senator Schaaf you are poor excuses of a human being. Tell that to the parent who will be buring her beloved son who, because of his struggles with addiction hung himself in his basement and was found by his loving mother. Opiate addiction is a horrific desease and affects the whole family and ripples out to friends and all those who "CARE" for "THEIR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS".

Elaine October 15, 2012 12:15 pm (Pacific time)

I lost my daughter to drugs 3 years ago, and it really hurts to read what this senator said. He really is a sad, sorry excuse for a human being. My daughter was the world to me and her life meant something. Senator Schaaf, you are ignorant.

Karen Tyler October 15, 2012 11:25 am (Pacific time)

What a poor excuse for a human being. I don't wish addiction on anyone but maybe he should see it up close and personal and maybe he will eat his words. Are all our addicted family members supposed to die if more politicians feel like him? I hope the good people of Missouri vote him out of office. Good luck to all of you. And Douglas, most addicts do want treatment because they DO NOT want to live like that.

MARY October 15, 2012 10:38 am (Pacific time)

This man is an insult to any Physician in the country!! Let's hope that he becomes affected by this drug crisis. Maybe then he will know the suffering of people who are addicted to this drug due to having it medically prescribed.
The citizens of Missouri should DEMAND that this program is made mandatory . He is the lowest of the low to ever make such a comment. If he were my primary care doctor I would be looking to change doctors.. My only wish is that he personally suffers with a child or grandchild with this addition, then let's hear what he has to say.

Liisa October 15, 2012 11:07 am (Pacific time)

Sad those who think this prescription monitoring is all about addicts -- its about preventing addiction, about not over-prescribing. To wish someone dead is so wrong... someday it may be one you love... Mr Benson, maybe you can explain why the death of someone addicted to prescriptions will stop Dr.s from over-prescibing? As for Mr. Schaaf, for someone who is supposed to be working for his constituents -- seems to me he has a personal agenda -- Missori voters need to think twice about re-elcting someone who would wish another dead -- it may be your loved one he is talking about... Thank you for a very enlightening article -- keep up the great work!

Jacquelyn Valentino October 15, 2012 10:48 am (Pacific time)

I am amazed at the ignorance of anyone saying that this horrible family problem is representative of their genes. Senitor Schaaf needs some education. How sad. I hope he nevers has to experience the pain of this family illness because he will have to eat his horrible words.

Brigitte October 15, 2012 10:48 am (Pacific time)

How does Senator Schaaf even reconcile his despicable comments with his Hippocratic Oath or even his Christian Faith? This reeks eugenics to me. Pill Mills are already shifting to Missouri since Florida put a Monitoring Program in place. I hope that Missourans will not wait to see how deaths from overdose on prescription pain pills will wreck havoc on their families before they vote this guy out of office.

@parentofaddict October 14, 2012 12:35 pm (Pacific time)

Many have commented their rage regarding Sen. Schaaf's insensitive statement at http://addictionjournal.net/?p=5705 His ignorance will not be forgotten at election time. Thank you for an informative article regarding his "connections"

Joanne Peterson October 15, 2012 7:54 am (Pacific time)

Lets hope the citizens of Missouri stand together and DEMAND this man look at making it MANDATORY for doctors or their staff to USE THE PROGRAM like we did in Massachusetts. As far as his cruel comment regarding the gene pool. I feel sorry for any family in his state or anywhere for that matter having to endure the pain of his words. What a disgusting excuse for a human being! Imagine he being your primary care physician and going to him for advice on how to help your loved one? What would he say? Let them die? Get them out of the Gene pool?

Douglas Benson October 15, 2012 6:06 am (Pacific time)

I agree ,if someone doesnt want treatment and wants to kill themselves with drugs .Let them do so. A drug war is a drug war . Peace

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