Over the last 2 years PDFNJ has hosted a series of trainings called "Do No Harm" for our state’s medical community. Close to 2,000 physicians and dentists have attended one of these symposiums and learned about the potential additive qualities that certain pain medicines can have on some patients. 

Based on the new undisputed understanding about the links between prescription drugs and heroin it is extremely concerning when there are still doctors in our state that are being charged, and in many cases convicted, for over-prescribing. Prescribing opiates without proper patient evaluation can potentially lead to addition. 

Doctors can and should be an important resource in reversing the heroin epidemic that New Jersey and our country are facing. 

from NJ.com:

(Liz O. Baylen/Los Angeles Times/MCT) 

By Kathleen O'Brien | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 
Email the author | Follow on Twitter on July 29, 2016 at 2:41 PM 

Two more doctors have had their medical licenses temporarily suspended because they over-prescribed addictive pain medicine, the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners announced.

The Little Falls offices of Byung Kang, who is described in online listings as a family practice doctor, were raided by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice this past May.

Based on their investigation, Kang was arrested the next day on the charge of second degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. The allegations were that he prescribed highly addictive narcotics to patients despite the absence of any legitimate medical purpose.

Kang agreed to the temporary suspension of his license, the Board indicated in its suspension order. He was licensed by the state in 1971.

A second doctor, Michael W. Rutigliano, also agreed to the temporary suspension of his license in wake of the state's allegation.

The Board order indicated Rutigliano prescribed narcotics to patients he did not see, relying instead on verbal representations from someone else. He also is accused of giving patients prescriptions for future use, a practice known as "back-dating," and prescribing an opioid medication to patient he knew was receiving treatment for opiate addiction.

Rutigliano's New Jersey medical license was issued in 1990, according to state records. His practice was in Paramus.

The Board often gets a physician to agree to a temporary suspension while it is building the case for a more permanent sanction.

Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.