Esther Elliott, JadeTimes Staff'
Esther is a JadeTimes reporter covering culture
Friends actor Matthew Perry’s doctor has been charged with his death due to ketamine misuse.
Background
Matthew Perry, known for his character, Chandler Bing from Friends, died suddenly at 54 from Ketamine overdose. AP News reports that Perry opened up about his drug addictions.
Charges
Doctor Mark Chavez is accused of inappropriate ketamine uses and will be in prison for 10 years starting April. The drug, typically used for anesthesia, gained popularity for its off-label use in treating depression and PTSD. However, misuse of the drug leads to addictions and other mental health problems according to WebMD. Perry’s doctors gave him heavy doses of ketamine to help his depression according to AP News.
Implications to Patients and Providers
Perry’s death raises grave concerns about responsible drug use. Ketamine, though having its benefits, must be monitored to avoid abuse. Unfortunately, the doctors in Perry’s case did not abide by this rule and abused the amount of doses.
The charges against Matthew Perry's doctor raise critical questions about medicine and ethics, especially in the treatment of the most vulnerable patients. When we go to the hospital we trust that the doctors know what they are doing and will give us the right treatment. This shows that changes need to be made in the healthcare system regarding how doctors treat their patients. Medical abuse is a serious issue that needs to be addressed so that these situations aren’t common.
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