Hawaii anesthesiologist Rudolph Puana, MD, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after being found guilty in April on 38 counts of opioid distribution, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sept. 13.
Dr. Puana distributed more than 7,810 oxycodone 30mg pills to his friends so they could sell it to buy cocaine and pay for private school tuition, according to the Justice Department. He also gave fentanyl and oxycodone to a friend to pay for cocaine that they both used to party together.
Dr. Puana introduced his best friend to what he called his "trinity," a combination of cocaine, opioids and alcohol. He referred to hydrocodone pills as his "Skittles," which he got from the "doctor's candy store." He also admitted to possessing seven firearms — including handguns, rifles and a shotgun — while being addicted to narcotics, the department said.