thier is a lot of abuse in the system.drugs are drugs from your doctor (leagal pushers) or from street vendors,they as causing a lot of harm treat the condition not maske it over with pain meds, pain meds are for sugerys and such not to be used all the time.yes the law should have access to be aware and point out the abuse.the docs are making billions legal but not safe

This is clearly an invasion of privacy.  Yes, some people abuse pain meds, but many others don't and some may have scripts that are filled but not actually used.  It is an invasion of privacy and against the law for a law agency to scritinize a person's use of pain meds without any good reason.  If charges are brought against a person, then get a supena (sp?).  Law enforcement needs to follow the rules like everybody else.

Is this a "fishing expedition" or something on the level?

A lot of folks dont trust your average "sheriff types" but there is probably a lot of data that might be useful to legitimate enforcement.

Maybe if the states were to create some sort of strictly-selected medical-judicial review board that signed secrecy agreements, etc., the public might be more at ease. But, with Sheriff Joe Jerk digging through the files, there might be good reason for one to be apprehensive....

No way, uh-uhhh, never. I understand the Sheriff's desire to go after abusers, and I support that effort. But the Police have no business snooping around my health records. Period. The opportunity for abuse is HUGE. For example, if an officer knows a civilian driver in a traffic stop has a prescription for something as common as Prozac or Chantix it could be used against the citizen to justify the officer's suspicion, use of force, or (inappropriate) probable cause for search. This information can be used against the driver/citizen or for the police officer as an excuse for what would otherwise be unacceptable behavior. NO NO NO NO NO NO