Minneapolis / Jail nurse charged in drug theft

A Burnsville nurse was charged Thursday with stealing methadone from her workplace, the Hennepin County Jail.

[Outraged]

If Sarah DeSpiegelaere gets off with just a slap on the hands that will send the message that taxpayers are now paying for the drug habits of public employees, that would be an outrage. Premeditation can certainly be found in these felony thefts, with her having a stock pile of the stolen drugs at her home residence. This was definately not a theft by opportunity. Whether she has a prior criminal history or not, which is not mentioned in any of the news reports, she needs to be held accountable for her actions. As for being transferred to a hospital for a 72 hour hold, could she be trying to obtain sympathy from officials, judge, public by indicating she either a. has a mental health problem so how could she be handle responsible for what she's done, or b. has she threatened to committ sucide for reason listed above and also taking the cowardly way out of standing up to her responsbilities. What a loser this person is, how did she ever become a nurse, who, as it happens swears "to abstain from whatever is injurious and hurtful and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug". Justic demands to be served.

[sliverone]

Outraged wrote:

If Sarah DeSpiegelaere gets off with just a slap on the hands that will send the message that taxpayers are now paying for the drug habits of public employees, that would be an outrage. Premeditation can certainly be found in these felony thefts, with her having a stock pile of the stolen drugs at her home residence. This was definately not a theft by opportunity. Whether she has a prior criminal history or not, which is not mentioned in any of the news reports, she needs to be held accountable for her actions. As for being transferred to a hospital for a 72 hour hold, could she be trying to obtain sympathy from officials, judge, public by indicating she either a. has a mental health problem so how could she be handle responsible for what she's done, or b. has she threatened to committ sucide for reason listed above and also taking the cowardly way out of standing up to her responsbilities. What a loser this person is, how did she ever become a nurse, who, as it happens swears "to abstain from whatever is injurious and hurtful and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug". Justic demands to be served.

Oh, I certainly agree with you. Shucking responsibility is what these addicts are famous for. Rarely, if ever do they stand up and take responsibility...it's always 'I was abused as a child' and/or so many other crutches used.

It is sickening to say the least! I say punish them to the max, the system is too lenient I believe and that has contributed to the rise in deaths as well as addictions.

[Ashamed]

Sarah has let everyone down. People trusted her. Her co-workers, her husband. She has completely jeopardized all of their careers and reputations. And what about his children? My god, Their dad's face was plastered all ofer the news. Not Sarah's. I hope she pays the price. I don't want to hear how she has an addiction and needs help. As long as she gets treatment we can forgive.. that's crap. She is no better that the drug dealers and addicts on the street. She belongs in jail. Clearly she knew she was steeling the drugs. She works in the jail, she knew the consequences and risked it all anyway.

[sliverone]

Ashamed wrote:

Sarah has let everyone down. People trusted her. Her co-workers, her husband. She has completely jeopardized all of their careers and reputations. And what about his children? My god, Their dad's face was plastered all ofer the news. Not Sarah's. I hope she pays the price. I don't want to hear how she has an addiction and needs help. As long as she gets treatment we can forgive.. that's crap. She is no better that the drug dealers and addicts on the street. She belongs in jail. Clearly she knew she was steeling the drugs. She works in the jail, she knew the consequences and risked it all anyway.

I certainly can't speak from personally knowing her, but I must agree with how you feel concerning the punishment.
So very sad to drag the innocent ones down with her...she evidently has NO conscience.

[mythoughts]

You are so very right..look what she has done to innocent kids. I'm sure that friends/neighbors of these kids know who their dad is, and has either seen or heard that he was arrested and in the paper because of drugs. Image the embarrassment and anxiety they're going through because of the choices their stepmother made. Addiction or not, she worked in a jail for heaven sakes, she was fully aware that she was committing a crime, but obviously thought the consequences were worth the risk. Selfish, self-centered, altruistic and unconscionable people such as Sarah DeSpiegelaere do not have a place in a childs life. Hopefully justice will be served and the punishment is comparable to her implacable actions.

Ashamed wrote:

Sarah has let everyone down. People trusted her. Her co-workers, her husband. She has completely jeopardized all of their careers and reputations. And what about his children? My god, Their dad's face was plastered all ofer the news. Not Sarah's. I hope she pays the price. I don't want to hear how she has an addiction and needs help. As long as she gets treatment we can forgive.. that's crap. She is no better that the drug dealers and addicts on the street. She belongs in jail. Clearly she knew she was steeling the drugs. She works in the jail, she knew the consequences and risked it all anyway.

[healingpower]

I previously worked with this woman at another hospital before she was "quitely" dismissed/terminated, prior to her working at the jail. Suspicions ran high amongst her co-workers in regards to her ethics and behavior while on the job. It's unfortunate to hear that this behavior continued into another nursing position. Hopefully Sarah will now be force to get help, and will receive appropriate punishment for her crimes so that she finally gets the message that what she was doing is criminal, unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

sliverone wrote:

<quoted text>
I certainly can't speak from personally knowing her, but I must agree with how you feel concerning the punishment.
So very sad to drag the innocent ones down with her...she evidently has NO conscience.

[Ellen]

I have known Sarah for 18 years. She is a loving and beautiful woman. She is a good friend. And she is a human being who, just like each one of us, is imperfect. But to say things like she is a loser, has no conscience, is selfish, self-centered, and altruistic...that tells me two things: 1)you do not know anything about her and 2)I need to pray for you just as much as I need to pray for her right now. Being judgemental and unforgiving are harmful qualities. You can disapprove of her choices and actions. You can be of the opinion that there should be serious consequences for her decisions. You are entitled to your feelings on this topic. And you are even entitled to feeling angry and outraged. But please try to refrain from saying hurtful things about her. So many of the words above were hurtful to me, and could potentially hurt many others who are guilty of nothing but loving and caring about Sarah.

[Ban Methadone]

Have to say by the last 2 post that sarah seems to be like all other active addicts. It's like you both are talking about 2 different people. Personally, I think she does need to do some jail time or better yet, prison and mandatory drug treatment.

Ban Methadone

[Carrie Bjornson RN]

Obviously, you are NOT a RN. You have no IDEA what STRESS Nurses are put through. So for you to judge someone I have worked with and known, How OUTRAGEOUS! Quit JUDGING Sarah and begin by praying for her. I have known this beautiful, loving, and wonderful person in the past.I also have worked wth her and know that she is a kind, loving person! Shame on all of you whom are judging her! Get A Life you you Bored and desperate people! Oh, is she now a "scapegoat" for your misgivings? Have to wonder. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

[Carrie Bjornson RN]

I mean it.

[speedy]

Carrie Bjornson RN wrote:

I mean it.

OOO, or what? Scary stuff, when did you start coming "down"?
Do not feed any of us this "stress" bull. Among us here we have family people, business people, employed professionals. We all have stress,, lame excuse for being a criminal.
You maam, need to get a life.

[Ban Methadone]

Carrie Bjornson RN wrote:

Obviously, you are NOT a RN. You have no IDEA what STRESS Nurses are put through. So for you to judge someone I have worked with and known, How OUTRAGEOUS! Quit JUDGING Sarah and begin by praying for her. I have known this beautiful, loving, and wonderful person in the past.I also have worked wth her and know that she is a kind, loving person! Shame on all of you whom are judging her! Get A Life you you Bored and desperate people! Oh, is she now a "scapegoat" for your misgivings? Have to wonder. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Please tell me you are not justifying what she did because of the stress from being a nurse. How about this, Shame on her. I am not a RN but a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and know about addiction and a tad about stress too. Methadone killed my only child so that's why Im here, can I ask the same of you? Your friend is part of the problem with the methadone epidemic. She committed a crime and should be punished and people like you should stop with the enabling.

Ban Methadone

[MaryMay]

I have also known Sarah DeSpiegelaere for quite a long time, and agreement that she is a human being who, like everyone on this earth is imperfect. Her choices, however, were grave and have hurt not only her husband, herself, her family, but most hurtful of all is what she has done to her 2 innocent stepchildren. In that, she is was without a conscience, selfish, self-centered, etc., etc. My agreement is 100% with what Mythoughts wrote. There is also much truth in what “Outraged” wrote:“Premeditation can certainly be found in these felony thefts, with her having a stock pile of the stolen drugs at her home residence. This was definitely not a theft by opportunity.” As I said, I have known Sarah a long time, and am aware that this isn’t an isolated incidence. By what was found both in her car and her house, this behavior has been going on for quite sometime, and without a conscience which make it malicious. She is a nurse for Christ sakes, and took an oath. With her training and experience she should have realized she had a problem and gotten herself some help. It’s not like she wouldn’t know where to go. She choose to continuing stealing various drugs from her patients - because she thought she was above getting caught? What about the patients that the drugs were intended for, did they suffer because she “choose” to keep them for herself? She had not right, and was thinking only of herself. Who knows… Her crimes definitely deserve to be punished and she needs to be held accountable. You can point out all of Sarah’s points, but that doesn’t change or dissolve what she did and has been doing for a long time. I am praying for her, but unless she has the courage to admit her problems and stand up and take the punishment for her crimes, my opinion of her will no more than an common criminal. Godspeed Sarah.

Ellen wrote:

I have known Sarah for 18 years. She is a loving and beautiful woman. She is a good friend. And she is a human being who, just like each one of us, is imperfect. But to say things like she is a loser, has no conscience, is selfish, self-centered, and altruistic...that tells me two things: 1)you do not know anything about her and 2)I need to pray for you just as much as I need to pray for her right now. Being judgemental and unforgiving are harmful qualities. You can disapprove of her choices and actions. You can be of the opinion that there should be serious consequences for her decisions. You are entitled to your feelings on this topic. And you are even entitled to feeling angry and outraged. But please try to refrain from saying hurtful things about her. So many of the words above were hurtful to me, and could potentially hurt many others who are guilty of nothing but loving and caring about Sarah.

[NancyT]

You really can't be so self-centered yourself to think that nursing is the only profession that realizes stress. And shame on you for condoning Sarah's drug habit and her stealing from her work and patients. Sarah's not a scapegoat, everyone has a right to their opinions. It wasn't anyone fault but her own that she is receiving so much publicity for her CRIMES. Yes, crimes. She is a criminal who "choose" to break the law, and now that she's been caught it's "Oh poor Sarah, why is everyone so mean about what she's done, can't everyone just leave her alone". Wake up! Methodone is SERIOUS, as are all the other Substance II drugs she was stealing for herself. This loving person, as you say, is a criminal plain and simple. A drug taking, mentally unstable nurse is enough to give me stress.

Carrie Bjornson RN wrote:

Obviously, you are NOT a RN. You have no IDEA what STRESS Nurses are put through. So for you to judge someone I have worked with and known, How OUTRAGEOUS! Quit JUDGING Sarah and begin by praying for her. I have known this beautiful, loving, and wonderful person in the past.I also have worked wth her and know that she is a kind, loving person! Shame on all of you whom are judging her! Get A Life you you Bored and desperate people! Oh, is she now a "scapegoat" for your misgivings? Have to wonder. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

[77deadhead]

Ashamed wrote:

Sarah has let everyone down. People trusted her. Her co-workers, her husband. She has completely jeopardized all of their careers and reputations. And what about his children? My god, Their dad's face was plastered all ofer the news. Not Sarah's. I hope she pays the price. I don't want to hear how she has an addiction and needs help. As long as she gets treatment we can forgive.. that's crap. She is no better that the drug dealers and addicts on the street. She belongs in jail. Clearly she knew she was steeling the drugs. She works in the jail, she knew the consequences and risked it all anyway.

You've obviously never struggled with an addiction before, or else you wouldn't be so judgemental.

[Sven]

Good people sometimes do bad things and need to be punished. Stress is NO excuse for stealing drugs. No one grew up thinking they were going to be a junkie, but somewhere along this person's career, she made a decision to start taking and abusing drugs. No one forced her her to start. Ban Methadone - As a father, I'm truely sorry about your child

[Carrie Bjornson RN]

I work with people of all ages who suffer from Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. I cannot and will judge any one of my clients, much less people that I maybe have been friends with or worked with. For a drug counselor, that is kind of like "defamation" of character. That "label" once uttered is very hard to live down..( yeah many of my spinal cord injured young adults were 17, drank and dove into sandbars, etc. Be gentle with your views. We're all Human! Only that Ellen and myself as people along with many other sad, grasping grieving hopful human beings, also are deperately wishing and hoping for a positive outcome because we Know and Love Sarah. But for all of you whom really don't know Sarah and are slandering her to Shame?Shame on You! Please let's be Clear, honest, Good people. Lets strive for the Whole and Healthy and lets vent our "outrage in healthy positive new beginnings." Please leave her and her family alone. Sincerely Carrie Bjornson RN

[firestorm_lange]

You don't understand. That's not how justice works here. Somehow they have to destroy you and your family to make a point. It doesn't matter what the charges are, any damage done to the family will be collateral damage. The prosecution and judges could care less.

[thergirl]

Ellen wrote:

I have known Sarah for 18 years. She is a loving and beautiful woman. She is a good friend. And she is a human being who, just like each one of us, is imperfect. But to say things like she is a loser, has no conscience, is selfish, self-centered, and altruistic...that tells me two things: 1)you do not know anything about her and 2)I need to pray for you just as much as I need to pray for her right now. Being judgemental and unforgiving are harmful qualities. You can disapprove of her choices and actions. You can be of the opinion that there should be serious consequences for her decisions. You are entitled to your feelings on this topic. And you are even entitled to feeling angry and outraged. But please try to refrain from saying hurtful things about her. So many of the words above were hurtful to me, and could potentially hurt many others who are guilty of nothing but loving and caring about Sarah.

Unfortunately, the anti's here are heartless. They have lost someone from Methadone abuse and they take their anger out on anyone that does not think like them. They are not capable of having a conversation without insults and threats. So save your breath. I hope your friend gets the help she needs :)

[Ban Methadone]

thergirl wrote:

<quoted text>
Unfortunately, the anti's here are heartless. They have lost someone from Methadone abuse and they take their anger out on anyone that does not think like them. They are not capable of having a conversation without insults and threats. So save your breath. I hope your friend gets the help she needs :)

Speaking of heartless, rgirl, you have been no less heartless than any of us anti's. Just because I do not justify and rationalize everything the addict does doesnt make me heartless. Hell, Im a recovering person myself with no replacement therapy, just good old fashioned work your ass off for recovery kind of addict. Losing my son did not make me hate methadone, I never believed in replacement therapy so know what you are talking about before you go spewing more lies. Don't you have enough to worry about without bashing all of us anti's? You and ONE anti have been in some pretty nasty namecalling and now you resort to dogging us all. How pitiful. When and if you lose your child to a certain drug, come back and tell me how to behave, until then, you DO NOT have a clue of how you would behave. Yeah, I know what's coming next, you will say you know you would never act like we do but save it honey, you already act like us and worse. Ban Methadone