A federal jury has found Dr. Merideth Norris, a 53-year-old doctor from Kennebunk, Maine, guilty on 15 counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, potentially leading to a lengthy imprisonment for the doctor.

Dr. Norris's arrest in October 2022 marked the first charge brought by the New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force, a division of the federal justice department. At the time of her arrest, she faced 10 counts of unlawful distribution of opioids and other controlled substances.

Court documents revealed that Dr. Norris prescribed highly addictive drugs, such as oxycodone, fentanyl, and hydromorphone, without a legitimate medical purpose. Shockingly, some of the patients she prescribed these drugs to were already struggling with opioid use disorder. Moreover, others tested positive for addictive substances that had not been prescribed to them, while some seemed to be involved in the distribution of drugs within their communities.

In response to the conviction, Rob Korobkin, a member of the Maine recovery community, defended Dr. Norris, asserting that she had not done anything wrong. Korobkin argued that without her medical care, many of the thousands of people she treated could have faced dire consequences. He also suggested that some patients may have resorted to street drugs, which could have been laced with other dangerous substances.

According to a federal agent's affidavit, multiple patients died of overdoses within 45 days of receiving a prescription from Dr. Norris. This alarming fact adds weight to the seriousness of the charges against her.

Court documents further revealed that Dr. Norris had received warnings from an insurance company regarding her practices. Additionally, she faced refusals from pharmacies to fill her prescriptions. Her irresponsible prescribing became so egregious that Walmart pharmacies instituted a nationwide ban on their pharmacists filling any prescriptions written by her.

The Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure also questioned Dr. Norris about her prescriptions, but she reportedly submitted an incomplete patient file, evading and deceiving the board's inquiries.

The investigation into Dr. Norris's case involved multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

With the conviction now secured, Dr. Merideth Norris will await sentencing, which could potentially result in a prison term of hundreds of years.

Anyone seeking help for opioid and drug use treatment is urged to contact the Maine Addiction Hotline at 866-210-1303 or visit their website for assistance.