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Long-term sentence warranted

Dr. Tod Hagins, of Wintersville, apparently had little use for the traditional part of a physician’s creed, to “first, do no harm.”

By appearances, Hagins’ was willing to pad his own pockets by adding to the misery of others.

Hagins, 52, had the justice system book thrown at him Monday. Good.

He had pleaded guilty in federal court to various drug-related charges.

They amount to him writing fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone, in order to make money. In some cases, he schemed so that the prescriptions would be paid through Medicaid.

Hagins did all that through a general medical practice and a suboxone clinic on Washington Street in Weirton.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. sentenced Hagins to 57 months in prison and fined him $130,160. He also must pay $809 in restitution for his offenses.

Leniency sometimes is appropriate in drug cases. Not this time. Hagins broke trust with patients, the public and taxpayers.

Some part of the substance abuse crisis originated from misuse of prescription opioid painkillers. A substantial number of people became addicted to them, then turned to heroin and other illegal drugs.

Often, their doctors did not realize the harm they were doing. But Hagins is different. He knew precisely what he was doing.

Law enforcement agencies have a variety of targets in cracking down on drug abuse. People like Hagins should be right in the bullseye.

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