Crime & Safety
Worcester Psychiatrist Prescribed 'Highly Addictive' Drugs: Feds
A Worcester psychiatrist has been convicted of illegally prescribing 'dangerous combinations' of benzodiazepines and stimulants.
WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester psychiatrist was convicted last week by a federal grand jury of prescribing "dangerous combinations of benzodiazepines and stimulants" to his patients, according to prosecutors. Mohamad Och, 26, was convicted on three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Och was a licensed psychiatrist who owned and operated Island Counseling Center in Worcester and has practiced elsewhere in the state, including Nantucket.
Och repeatedly prescribed a combination of benzodiazepines and stimulants outside of the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, according to prosecutors. In 2016 and 2017, Och issued prescriptions for Adderall, an amphetamine, and Xanax, a benzodiazepine, to undercover agents working for the DEA.
Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse and present serious cardiovascular risks. Xanax, a depressant, is also risky when combined with a stimulant like Adderall, prosecutors said.
Och was accused of prescribing highly addictive medications without doing proper psychiatric examinations, obtaining prior medical records, or administering drug tests.
“Handing out controlled substances as casually as Halloween candy is a clear-cut crime, in which Dr. Och abrogated his professional ethics. Going forward, this experienced psychiatrist will have plenty of time to analyze his incredibly poor decisions that led to today’s conviction,” Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a statement. “The FBI, meanwhile, will continue to pursue investigations involving psychiatrists like Dr. Och.”
Och could face more than 20 years in prison and $1 million in fines.
He is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 16.
