Police, federal officials raid doctor's office

[proudpatient423]

JSMART wrote:

<quoted text>
Sounds like you were treated horribly, are you sure it was the same doctor? Because everyone that I have ever talked about him with has told me different. NEVER had we heard a comment like yours. Sounds like either personally you have an agenda or you are one of those people that can never be pleased. Doctors like Dr. Houghton are far and few between god bless him and his family to protect him from unkind people who judge before all the facts are presented.

I agree with JSMART.. dr. houghton is the best doctor anyone could hope for... he is such a good dr that i wish i could pack him up and take him with me wherever i travel.. i trust him. his character is impeccable. just a real genuine guy with the medical knowledge, judgment, and instincts that make me feel confident i am in good hands. i firmly believe the very few people who are writing mean blogs could quite possibly be ONE mean person with an agenda, pretending to be more than one b/c they have nothing better to do! i can tell by the way the antonation/tone. Dr. Houghton will prescribe medicine again soon, b/c once all the facts are revealed, they will realize he is justified in his actions. Case closed. So yeah, suck it you dipsh*T meanie!!!

[CT native]

About damn time wrote:

I can not understand how so many can stand up for this man.... Months ago we had issues with him and it was for the same reason he was raided this week....Im happy he has finally been looked into its about damn time!!!! He could have ruined many lives, marriages, childhoods. Doctors NEED to start thinking before they just write out these prescriptions to their patients...I hope he doesnt get that right back to write more....

I'm looking forward to your apology, as well.
You should consider psychiatric services.

[thankful patient]

Dr. Houghton is not only the best doctor I have ever seen, but the most sincere, interested and kind man. I, too, have his cell phone number and have called him on sundays. He always calls back!! Not to prescribe medicine, but to find out "what's going on." I agree with other comments that the media is sensationalizing this and jumping to conclusions without the facts. I wonder what Jerry Farrell's real motivations are? Is it to get himself some publicity? Did he just decide to run for secretary of state? VERY FISHY!! I stand by Dr. Houghton 100%.

[Innocent until-]

To prosecute in the press is as immoral as it is illegal. This Doctor is one of the strengths of this community and to hound him in the press is the sick action of a personally ambitious public official looking for his 15 minutes of fame. The alphabet soup of Federal, State and local agencies now has all our personal records at their disposal to share with the press and others. Do you feel safer now? Are you prepared to have your SSI #'s and medical history "accidentally" posted on some web site? Are you prepared to let this good man and your neighbors be vilified in the press to satisfy the ambitions of some public official who is only looking for himself? Ask any high schooler about hard drugs. This is where our tax dollars should be aimed at, not at a caring doctor who is serving this community in so many ways.

[Also Concerned]

He may have been a good doctor but he's obviously no a saint. I'm sure Michael Jackson thought his doctor was the best, too. There is a reason for the raid. Over prescribing controlled drugs can lead to death.

[Govt Excess]

Also Concerned wrote:

He may have been a good doctor but he's obviously no a saint. I'm sure Michael Jackson thought his doctor was the best, too. There is a reason for the raid. Over prescribing controlled drugs can lead to death.

Its comments like this that drive me crazy. Please read the article before you comment. This doctor allegedly gave one patient more pain killers than his own prescription level dictated. No death. No injury. No fraud. No tax issues. No profiting. This was a doctor's judgement call to best help his patient. Period. He will now have to review that judgement call in front of an administrative hearing. Did this really require 6 Federal, State, and Local agencies to perform a high profile, made for TV raid? And we wonder why our taxes keep increasing. When will these agencies have their hearing to justify their judgement call to waste our tax money?

[JSMART]

Also Concerned wrote:

He may have been a good doctor but he's obviously no a saint. I'm sure Michael Jackson thought his doctor was the best, too. There is a reason for the raid. Over prescribing controlled drugs can lead to death.

The reality is none of us are saints, most of us try to be the best people we can be on a daily basis, and most of us who are not half off our rocker do not kick our fellow humans when they are down. I see that Jerry Farrell attacked Dr. Houghton for his own political gain. Jerry is running for Secretary of State he is in a position of power that allows him to get free publicity when he attempts to bring down a well loved doctor and in the name of public safety? Now the reality is he has egg on his face, he sees the outpouring of support from Dr. Houghton's patients and the local community he rushes to a judgment to justify his blatant waste of our tax payer dollars. The reality is Dr. Houghton is human and we all make mistakes. If he is convicted I will still support him until he gets his right to prescribe narcotics again. He is the one in the million doctor a treasure for the shoreline community. I realize that I am sorry that a few of you do not. I am sure you will have the same poor judgment and vote for Jerry Farrell in this election.

[JSMART]

JSMART wrote:

<quoted text>
The reality is none of us are saints, most of us try to be the best people we can be on a daily basis, and most of us who are not half off our rocker do not kick our fellow humans when they are down. I see that Jerry Farrell attacked Dr. Houghton for his own political gain. Jerry is running for Secretary of State he is in a position of power that allows him to get free publicity when he attempts to bring down a well loved doctor and in the name of public safety? Now the reality is he has egg on his face, he sees the outpouring of support from Dr. Houghton's patients and the local community he rushes to a judgment to justify his blatant waste of our tax payer dollars. The reality is Dr. Houghton is human and we all make mistakes. If he is convicted I will still support him until he gets his right to prescribe narcotics again. He is the one in the million doctor a treasure for the shoreline community. I realize that I am sorry that a few of you do not. I am sure you will have the same poor judgment and vote for Jerry Farrell in this election.

I totally agree Govt Excess, lets put it this way Michael Jackson's doctor who basically is involved with a death, and administering propofol outside a hospital environment has still maintains the right to prescribe narcotics besides propofol? Dr. Houghton who is not involved with a death has been stripped of the prescription rights of all narcotics? Made for TV event, I get sick every day thinking of how wrong this is.

[Innocent until-]

I hope all the authors of all the negative posts feel safer now that their PERSONAL RECORDS have been taken by 2 Federal and 2 State agencies. Feels good, right? All those bureaucratic bozos are sure too keep them safe won't they? No way that they will get "accidently" posted on some web site with all your SSI #s, prescriptions, etc.?
This strikes me that some fool politician is trying to make a name for himself like Guiliani or Spitzer (and look at what they turned out to be). Only a fool would call the press and then raid the offices of a respected Doctor with 2 State agencies, 2 Federal agencies and the local Police. Who did the expect to find, Osama Bin Laden?
I hope the Governor will investigate the waste of taxpayers money on this obviously political self aggrandizement scheme. We should all go to the hearing and make our opinion heard.

[Not a waste of money]

Its a blessing that he was raided....period!!! Most of you that are soooo on his side must be the ones that are needing their next fix...any one with any small amount of sense would see it took more than one complaint to warrant such a search...

[Jim Bone]

The yokel in westbrook, about time comments needs a Check Up from The neck Up BIG TIME - can you spell NUT JOB in westbrook??? Geezealou. Dr Houghton is the most caring, concerned practioner, I have met in 50 years, he really really cares for all his patients, but when you are freaking nuts you shouldnt go to a internist dr, westbrook addams family, loser.... by the by Dr Houghton will be completely found NOT GUILTY!

[Grateful Patient]

How dare anyone judge any situation without knowing all the facts. Hope that happens to you someday. Did you ever think of that? This doctor's reputation, and therefore his practice can be damaged forever even when he is found NOT GUILTY. Dr. Houghton is a victim in this case, not a criminal. Whomever is responsible for "organizing/staging" this "raid" in an effort to sensationalize the story and applaud themself as a hero and thereby defame the doctor's reputation, is the self-serving criminal. You are the ignorant character in this production.

[ct native]

How politically convenient and relavant for Farrell, considering the publicity surrounding Michael Jackson's Dr. - an incredibly convenient bandwagon for him to jump on - I guess his motto is not to ask for permission (or facts) because he can always apologize later, which, of course, won't make the headlines.

[loyal patient]

Anyone who really wants help Dr Houghton can write a letter of support addressed to his office. I have called the office and they will make sure that he gets them. Let's really show our support and undo this "guilty until proven innocent" tag that has been placed on Dr. H. And make sure we keep an eye on this Farrell character in the future!

[Mrs Loyal Patient]

Dr. Houghton has been nothing but professional and sincere, kind and truly interested in my personal case history since I began seeing him after my husband was amazed by his attentive and empathetic nature. The usual slanted, unfair and unnecessary politics aside, we hope he comes through this professional nightmare with his license and dignity intact. Whatever the outcome, he will always have our utmost trust and respect. Dr. Scott Houghton is truly one of a kind.

[Trish]

I have known Dr Houghton for several years, both as the wife of one of his patients but also as a liscensed therapist who has referred patients to his care who are struggling with addictions. Dr H. is one of the most knowledgeable, compassionate and caring dr’s I have ever known. He takes the time to really listen to his patients. When you are in his office, you are never rushed. He gives his complete attention and time. it is my opinion, that when this investigation is completed, these allegations will be found to be false. Dr Houghton is well aware of the addictive qualities of controlled substances. He has a good heart and is always concerned about what is in the best interest of the patient. Dr Houghton is always interested not only in the physical problems his patients bring to the office but also in tending to patients emotional needs. For example, If a patient is suffering from depression/anxiety , he will strongly encourage psychotherapy in addition to medication. I find that Dr Houghton tends to be conservative in his prescribing medications and if he does prescribe a controlled substance, he is very clear with the patient about warning of the possibility of addiction. One has to wonder if this one patient mentioned in the article ( who allegedly was over prescribed medication) may have been disgruntled in some way because Dr Houghton had refused to continue to prescribe a controlled substance or had suggested chemical dependence treatment to that patient.? Dr H..keep your head up. Any patient or family member who has ever been in your office knows that you are one of the most caring,compassionate,intellige nt, and honest dr’s one will ever encounter. I wish there were more doctors like you. I hope every person who either reads or comments writes a letter of support for Dr H. to his office so that he not only feels the support of the patients whose lives he has helped and touched in so many ways, but also for the upcoming meeting on Feb 23rd that will decide if she should get the right to prescribe controlled substances again , as he should.

[trish]

has anyone heard how the hearing went feb 23rd?Hoping no "news" is good news... if you have a few minutes, please send a personal note of support to dr h in care of his office in case this witch hunt continues (as I did a few weeks ago, prior to the hearing). He needs all the support he can get and as family of one of his patients, I want to stand up and be heard...Dr H is one of the most caring,compassionate,intellige nt dr I have ever met.

[loyal patient]

Went to see Dr houghton last week. The hearing was postponed for 3 weeks. Dr Houghton is feeling pretty down as you can imagine. Does the word "crucified" seem appropriate.

[casino annie]

I wish he had written a script for me. I guess he saved them for people who needed them. Like people in pain!!!!!! Duh.
He's a wonderful doctor.
I wish I could moved up here to NH.

[jim]

Doc has always been there for me and my family....above and beyound.