“Drug abuse and the illegal prescription drugs are rampant throughout the abortion industry,” said Newman. “We have seen arrests and disciplinary action like this with abortionists all over the country.”

Three employees of an abortion facility in Pittsburgh, Pa., were arrested for illegally prescribing and receiving drugs on July 26.

John Barrett, M.D., is the medical director of the Alleghaney Women’s Center. Alton Lawson, M.D., is a part-time physician and former medical director. Mark Wagner is a lab technician. A former registered nurse, Karen Kane, was also charged.

The arrests motivated pro-life groups to call for the shut-down of the abortion facility. “Because of these arrests, we demand that the State close the Allegheny Women’s Center. Abortionists who break the law should not be allowed to continue business as usual,” said Operation Rescue president Troy Newman.

Barrett and Lawson were charged with providing Diethylpropion to Wagner. According to a criminal complaint, the abortionists provided Wagner with over 20,000 tablets over a period of several years. Wagner allegedly used the drugs to treat anxiety and depression. Diethylpropion is a prescription weight loss drug.

According to the complaint, Wagner did not pay for the drugs because he regarded them as a form of compensation. Allegedly, Wagner received additional prescriptions and up to 12 bottles of Diethylpropion whenever he requested it.

Wagner was also charged for selling the Diethylpropion to former registered nurse Karen Kane. Kane allegedly received up to six bottles at a time.

“Drug abuse and the illegal prescription drugs are rampant throughout the abortion industry,” said Newman. “We have seen arrests and disciplinary action like this with abortionists all over the country.”

In March, Harry Perper, an abortionist in Florida, was arrested and charged with racketeering, conspiracy and drug trafficking related to OxyContin, a narcotic pain-reliever, and other prescription pain medications.

In January, Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s abortion facility was raided by the local District Attorney’s office after their investigations showed that Gosnell was the largest supplier of OxyContin sold on the streets. Bodies of viable aborted babies were found that revealed that Gosnell was killing them after they were born alive. Gosnell was charged with the illegal distribution of drugs along with eight counts of murder.

McKinley Cobb is a student at The King’s College and a summer intern for WORLD Magazine.
@2011 World Magazine – used with permission