I was just reading an article about drug diverters.
KARE 11 Investigates: Health workers stealing drugs, patients at risk | KARE11.com
According to the article most health care providers caught stealing drugs are not prosecuted in a court of law. A spokesperson for the Mayo Clinic interviewed for the article states that they always pursue legal action when they catch nurses and others stealing drugs.
They discuss several cases in the article where nurses were diverting and endangering patients. Usually, they state, nurses are just put into a program, and do not have to face the legal system.
So what is your opinion, should nurses get a pass on this? They discuss in the article how this is a rampant problem and many nurses slip through the cracks. Would harsher legal consequences deter healthcare workers? Is it fair that healthcare workers get let off the hook while other people stealing drugs get thrown in jail? Does legal prosecution deter anybody? I'm not talking about drug use here but stealing. Is there any difference between a nurse stealing drugs or someone shoplifting?