Mom admits to stealing dying daughter's pain meds

[Roadside Attraction]

8. True story

I'm an Advanced Life Support EMT with a volunteer rescue squad in rural Virginia.

A neighbor has a multitude of medical challenges -- congestive heart failure, end stage COPD, diabetes. Last Sunday around 10:00 AM I went to check on him -- had my medic bag with me -- found him DOA -- already cold. His old black lab nestled against him, would not leave.

I called sheriff, called rescue squad, etc.

Then, per protocol, I rounded up all his meds and checked quantity dispensed, daily dose, and quantity remaining -- we do this to check for possible OD. Everything was in order.

His son arrived a few hours later. The guy had told me months ago he was concerned that his son was addicted to pain meds.

I went back to the house Monday morning -- his pain meds were gone -- about 40 7.5 mg oxycodone -- powerful stuff. I questioned the son -- short version -- had to call the cops again because the son had grabbed all his pain meds.

Addiction is a terrible thing.