Looking at the sentencing of Chris Benoit’s doctor
Another chapter in the Chris Benoit tragedy came to a close Tuesday when Benoit’s personal doctor was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Newnan, Ga., for illegally prescribing painkillers and other drugs to patients.
Dr. Phil Astin, who also had other pro wrestlers as patients, had pleaded guilty in January to a 175-count federal indictment that accused him of writing illegal prescriptions to known drug abusers,
Obviously, there can never be any kind of happy ending to the Benoit story, but at least justice was served in this instance, in my opinion.
I'm a strong believer in personal responsibility, so Benoit absolutely should be held accountable for killing his wife, Nancy, and young son, Daniel nearly two years ago. However, I also find the actions of a doctor who enabled his patients' dangerous and self-destructive choices to be almost as reprehensible. Doctors literally hold people’s lives in their hands, because with the stroke of a pen, they can write a prescription that can be detrimental to a patient and others that they come in contact with.
From reports that came out in the aftermath of the Benoit family’s deaths, Astin apparently was a mark for wrestlers and had autographed photos of Benoit and other wrestling stars in his office (Mike “Johnny Grunge” Durham, who died in his sleep in 2006 at 39, also was a patient of Astin). The sad fact is that had Astin not prescribed the drugs for Benoit and other wrestlers, some other “mark” doctor would have.
“I am sorry I hurt so many lives,” Astin said during his sentencing. “I was thinking that I was looking after my patients.”
Fortunately, he’ll have plenty of time to do a lot more thinking about the decisions he made. I wonder if he still thinks those autographed photos and “friendships” with the wrestlers were worth it.
Comments
Kevin , while I won't argue the punishment for Dr. Astin , the mention of he and Benoit only serves to stir the general notion that Astins prescribing of anabolic / androgenic steroids to Benoit was the catalyst of Benoit's actions .
As you already know , I've got more than just casual knowledge of their use , medicinally , and " otherwise" . While morally the use of steroids can questioned , what has been the more prevalent cause for concern for physical and emotional health is the use of painkillers and antidepressants .
Sorry to be longwinded , and getting slightly off topic .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | May 12, 2009 8:32 PM
Prison sucks. Ten years is a loooong time. He may deserve it, but I can't help but feel sorry for the guy. I hope he is big enough to defend himself. Prisons can sometimes be inhumane, in my opinion. The guards "look the other way" too often when they shouldn't. I know from experience.
Posted by: Andy | May 13, 2009 12:41 AM
While I agree the doctor needs to be held liable to some extent for the whole Benoit situation, WWE also has a part in this. They have a Wellness policy, but the wellness of their performers doesn't always seem to be safeguarded. It's no secret to WWE execs and Vince McMahon that their wrestlers get hurt and use painkillers. The problems come when WWE isn't looking out for their superstars by checking into what the doctors are doing. Hopefully WWE has learned from all this and is doing more checking out of the various doctors as well as their practices. Maybe a strict set of requirements should be implemented or only certain approved doctors can be used by wrestlers.
Posted by: J Johnson | May 13, 2009 8:03 AM
what u say about Dr. astin is true but lets give him some credit for accepting his punishment instead of trying to fight it like other Dr.s i just hope this isn't the end for the feds i hope they prosecute other dr.s like the Anna N Smith drs. and for that matter i don't know how come they don't go after her companion Howard stern the lawyer which i never understood that relationship but he was definatly an enabler and should be in jail just like the doctors.
Posted by: frank | May 13, 2009 11:34 AM