Doctor Accused Of Illegally Prescribing OxyContin Released On Bond

Sept 26th, 2003 - Tempers flared Friday afternoon outside Metro Corrections, and the confrontation was caught on tape. A doctor arrested for writing illegal prescriptions for the powerful painkiller OxyContin was being released from jail when the trouble began.

When Dr. Wrenda Gallien was released Friday afternoon, she faced a number of questions about the charges against her.

Gallien didn't answer any of them, however, thanks in part to Al Brown, who wouldn't say if he was an attorney. And when reporters kept asking, he bristled. "You know what? In America you are tried by a trial, a court of law, a judge and a jury. Not by you people."

Investigators say Gallien illegally signed multiple blank controlled substance prescriptions, then allowed nurses to write prescriptions. One nurse is charged with handing out OxyContin prescriptions. Cheryl Denzik is charged with handing out prescriptions for two sleep aids and Ritalin -- not OxyContin, as previously reported.

All three are charged with felonies.

Police say OxyContin abuse is a growing problem in Louisville. On Thursday, we learned from the Oldham County Sheriffs Department that a teenager died from a mix of OxyContin and alcohol.