Just two weeks after the Ohio House’s passage of House Bill 93—which, among other objectives, will address the rampant prevalence of “pill mills”— the Portsmouth and Plymouth offices of Dr. James Lundeen were raided by local and state agents who believe that the doctor has consistently overprescribed prescription drugs. According to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Lundeen is responsible for 61 percent of all Scioto County narcotics prescriptions in the BWC system.

In response to the swift action taken to make Ohio’s communities safer, Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) released the following statement:

“For too long, our communities and families have been poisoned by prescribers who overmedicate their patients or are more concerned about making a few bucks than keeping their patients healthy. We’ve watched as our neighbors and their sons and daughters became affected by this scourge that has reached across this great state, and watched as these instances moved closer and closer to home.

“The investigation into Dr. Lundeen’s office is a powerful first step toward reducing the threat of prescription drug abuse and overdose death. I applaud the quick action of all the state and local officials who responded to this particular individual’s abuse of authority. I truly believe that they helped to save lives throughout Ohio.”