COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former doctor from Pataskala has pleaded guilty to distributing pain medication in a South Side clinic without a legitimate medical purpose.
Federal investigators allege Terry Dragash worked at the Columbus Southern Medical Clinic, 2912 S. High Street, from 2001 through 2011 where he and other doctors were required to see 50 to 100 patients a day.
Investigators say many of the patients seen at Columbus Southern Medical Clinic were drug addicts traveling long distances just to get pain pills to feed their addictions.
Dragash pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
According to court documents, Dragash prescribed controlled substances, including hydrocodone and 5,500 milligrams of oxycodone, to patients who were addicted to pain medications when there was no legitimate medical purpose and when it was “outside the usual course of a professional practice.”
Isabella Dixon, Dragash’s attorney, says her client’s cocaine addiction caused a downward spiral personally and professionally.
Dixon says Dragash is remorseful and takes responsibility.