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In the statewide crackdown on opioid abuse, officials announced Wednesday that a Jackson area nurse has been arrested for embezzling the drugs.
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director John Dowdy said Jeremy David Duke, 32, of Mt. Olive, is charged with embezzlement and was processed into the Hinds County jail on Wednesday.
Duke is suspected of diverting the Schedule II controlled substances Dilaudid and morphine, both of which are very powerful opioids, according to Dowdy.
Duke, a registered nurse, worked at a Jackson area hospital, though which one has not been released, officials said. He has surrendered his nursing license.
Just last week, two doctors surrendered their DEA licenses and two nurse practitioners were arrested for pharmaceutical diversion.
Dowdy said there are active investigations into cases related to the opioid epidemic statewide.
“To help address the opioid epidemic, part of our enforcement efforts will be focused on prescribers,” Dowdy said.
Dilaudid, a brand name for hydromorphone, and morphine are used medically to treat moderate to severe pain and may be used illegally by opioid addicts.
“The arrest of Mr. Duke by DEA and MBN speaks to the seriousness of the growing opioid crisis in this country,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux. “No longer will drug dealers, cloaked in lab coats, be able to hide behind the title of claiming to be a medical professional, while pushing this poison into our communities. DEA — along with our other federal, state and local counterparts — will continue to do all we can to address this problem.”
Dowdy said the investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible.
There are other issues to address as well, officials said, as amphetamines such as Adderall are being overprescribed or illegally prescribed.
“One of the things we generally rely on from a law enforcement perspective is enlisting the public’s assistance,” he said.