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Police: Nurse Stole Drugs, Found With Syringe in Arm
The Orlando Sentinel
September 12, 2009
Propofol is not just for Michael Jackson.
Kissimmee police on Thursday found registered anesthetist Teresa Fowler-Platkin slumped over in her black Mercedes-Benz with a syringe sticking out of her arm, blood on her skin and a bag full of stolen drugs, including Propofol, in her car.
The powerful sedative, Propofol, is thought to be a contributing factor in the death of singing superstar Michael Jackson.
Platkin, 36, of Windermere, faces charges of petty theft and possession of drugs without a prescription. She is at the Osceola County Jail on a $500 bond.
Officers said they believed Platkin was in pain when they found her in her car in a parking lot off Fountain Head Circle at 1:15 p.m. When they approached her car, the noticed the blood and syringe in her arm.
She removed the syringe and told police she had stolen the drugs from the Kissimmee Surgical Center, where she works as a registered anesthetist. A nurse at the medical office identified the drugs and said Platkin did not have a prescription for the medications.
The drugs found in a bag included xylocaine, an strong anesthetic; tobramycin, an antibiotic; and dexamethasone and ketorolac tromethamine, two anti-inflammatory drugs.
Police also found blood covered surgical gloves and a blue rubber band, used to constrict the blood flow. The bag also contained two syringes and two needles.
© YellowBrix 2009
Randy20037
almost 4 years ago
6 comments
I read an article recently in the New York Times about people who frequently abuse and misuse chemicals are trying to escape or distance themselves from what they are feeling. The paper said that frequently studies have indicated that people who abuse propofol, ketamine and other disassociative agents have had sexual or physical abuse during their formative years.
Instead of facing, dealing with or addressing what ever they percieve as intolerable, the only option seems to run from it. Thus creating a downward spiral of remorse guilt and shame accompanied by the fear of being found out. Which creates additional reasons to escape.
It is not an easy problem to solve. The ways to help are not always clear.
It is unfortunate that the media is not as quick to publish success stories of people who have overcome such addictions and put thier shattered lives back together and grown tremedously from the experience. But who wants to hear that?
USAFlightMedic
almost 4 years ago
86 comments
Wow, so when do they take her credentials away for good?
Stephanie
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
I work in an outpatient substance abuse facility and we see nurses from all aspects abusing all sorts of medicines.
mrbrownrn49
almost 4 years ago
68 comments
Xylocaine a strong anesthetic? This reporter should speak to someone who knows something. No surprise as anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists have the highest rates of illegal drug use in the medical profession. That's what they deal in all day long.