ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A local Vietnam Veteran said he was lured to his local Veterans Affairs Clinic under the pretense of a meeting to discuss pain management, instead he says he was told to give a surprise urine sample.
"The first thing that happened is the guard said, I told him I was supposed to go to the conference room, the guard goes, no we don't have this conference room," said Prescott Richter. "I said 'I'm here for a conference' and she said 'No, go stand over there on the wall.'"
Richter served four years in the Navy and recently began taking hydrocodone for pain in his joints. He says he has signed an agreement with the VA to not take any illicit drugs and submit to drug tests, however, he said a letter he received did not mention a drug test instead said he was being asked to come in to the St. Augustine VA Clinic for a meeting to discuss pain management and opioid therapy.
"They probably had 25, 30 veterans milling around," said Richter. "I asked the guys I was standing next to, what are we doing, they go, 'We're taking a urine test.'"
In the letter, the VA said Richter is being invited to come in to "evaluate the program" and "develop a plan for success." The letter, turned over to 9 Investigates, concludes by saying the meeting will be held in the conference room, however, Richter says when he asked where the conference room was, he was told there is no meeting, just a drug test.
READ: Letter from the VA
The VA, in response to questions about the meeting and surprise drug test issued a written statement saying in part, "This letter was specifically created with the desire to improve education about Opioid Therapy and Pain Management to a group of patients. The appointments were developed as a group so that the patients could share their input and receive the education. The facility feels that this is very beneficial for patient safety and understanding. It also helps them with coping with their chronic pain issues."
A spokesperson for the VA also said, "All patients managing their pain with the use of Opioid Therapy are aware that they will be required to routinely provide a Urine Drug Screen. In addition, it is common knowledge among this group that they are required to sign a contract prior to obtaining narcotics."
In 2012, the VA came under fire from Congressional leaders for its overuse of powerful narcotics. According to information disclosed to the US Senate, the number of veterans prescribed opiates increased by 270% from 2001 to 2012.
Richter said he has signed the contract and has no problem submitting to a drug test, but feels like he was deceived.
"I don't smoke, I don't drink and I don't take illicit drugs and I don't like to be talked to like that, it was shameful the way they did it," said Richter.
WFTV
