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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF MEDICINE vs RASSAN TARABIEN, M.D., 20-000698PL (2020)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Feb. 10, 2020 Number: 20-000698PL Latest Update: Sep. 29, 2024
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HARMONY ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. vs DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, DRUGS, DEVICES AND COSMETICS PROGRAM, 14-005334RU (2014)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Apr. 08, 2015 Number: 14-005334RU Latest Update: Jan. 29, 2016

The Issue Whether Petitioner has been substantially affected by agency statements made by Respondent, and, if so, whether the statements violate section 120.54(1)(a), Florida Statutes?

Findings Of Fact Petitioner, Harmony Environmental (Harmony), is duly- licensed as a Universal Waste Transporter Facility (UWTF) with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), holding EPA ID No. FLR000202424. Additionally, Harmony is registered as a Hazardous Waste Transporter by FDEP as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT); a Used Oil Handler by FDEP; a Biomedical Waste Transporter by the Florida Department of Health; and as a Waste Transporter by Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Respondent is the state department charged with regulating drugs, devices, and cosmetics pursuant to section 20.165 and chapter 499, Florida Statutes. Respondent does not have jurisdiction over the permitting of universal waste transporters or over Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-730. Respondent has not issued any permits or licenses to Petitioner. On May 20, 2014, Respondent’s Inspector Dr. Tram Vu inspected Petitioner. The Entry Notice and On-Site Inspection Report was included as an exhibit to the Petition filed in this matter. It makes reference to the “inspection” by Dr. Vu as one, “conducted under Ch. 499.051, F.S., and Rule 61N-1.019, F.A.C., to assess firm’s activities and compliance.” Respondent admitted the May 20th inspection was conducted under the authority cited in the report. On July 16 and 17, 2014, Dr. Vu again inspected Petitioner. A number of photographs were taken during the inspection. The photographs depict two large white containers referred to in the Petition and at the hearing as “yard super sacks.” Inspector Vu testified that the yard super sacks were sealed and that none of the “prescription drugs” photographed were found outside of the sealed Universal Pharmaceutical Waste (UPW) containers. Dr. Vu subsequently requested Petitioner to “voluntarily” quarantine the super sacks and a black tote, and a voluntary quarantine form was prepared and executed. The voluntary quarantine form states that it is “an alternative to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (‘DBPR’) removing some or all of the products for examination and sampling pursuant to Section 499.065(2), Florida Statutes.” Respondent issued a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) to Petitioner on August 18, 2014, regarding its application for a restricted drug distributor/destruction permit. The NOID concluded that Petitioner acted as a restricted drug distributor/destruction establishment without a license. The NOID cited rule 61N-1.023(4), which provides that such a permit is required for a person to take possession in Florida of a prescription drug for the purpose of arranging for its destruction. When asked by Petitioner in an interrogatory, “Are there any facts or circumstances that would cause the DDC to consider that a prescription drug has become UPW and no longer subject to its authority? If so, state or identify each and every such fact or circumstance.” Respondent answered, “No. The term ‘UPW’ is a term that is within the jurisdiction of another Florida state agency, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A prescription drug is no longer a prescription drug when the nature of the prescription drug is altered or changed in a way that the active ingredient which causes the prescription drug to be a prescription drug is no longer active.” Reginald Dixon, the Director of the Division of Drugs, Devices, and Cosmetics (DDC), acknowledged that in his two years as Director, Respondent’s chapter 61N-1 has not contained any definition that addresses the difference between viable drugs and non-viable drugs and that it contains no reference to UPW. Mr. Dixon further acknowledged that chapter 61N-1 does not contain the statement that “[a] prescription drug is no longer a prescription drug when the nature of the prescription drug is altered or changed in a way that the active ingredient which causes the prescription drug to be a prescription drug is no longer active.” He further acknowledged that he is not aware of any federal or Florida law, rule, or regulation that provides the same or similar statement; and that chapter 61N-1 does not contain any definition or explanation as to how the change or alteration that may render the active ingredient inactive takes place. Respondent’s policy that a drug continues to be a prescription drug until its nature is altered or changed so that the active ingredient that makes it a prescription drug is no longer active applies not only to Petitioner. Such policy would apply to other entities engaged in a similar business, as well as to pharmacies, drug wholesalers, and hospitals when considering how to legally dispose of prescription drugs. Respondent takes the position that the UPW rule “is not a rule that belongs to DBPR” (Hr’g Tr. 62); that Respondent “does not have any jurisdiction over the DEP rules” (Hr’g Tr. 75); and that Respondent does “not look at the DEP rules to determine or use their determination of whether or not a drug is viable . . . or nonviable” (Hr’g Tr. 75). “To the extent that [the UPW] rule talks about viable and nonviable pharmaceuticals, that’s not something within our jurisdiction and we don’t deal with it” (Hr’g Tr. 78). Respondent admitted that it is important for regulated entities to know when the agency considered that a drug is no longer under its jurisdiction. Respondent also admitted that if other regulations exist that do not call prescription drugs “prescription drugs” anymore, but instead call them “solid waste, universal pharmaceutical waste or hazardous waste,” those statutes and regulations may “possibly” have a bearing on chapter 499 and chapter 61N-1. In response to Petitioner’s Request for Admissions, Respondent claimed to be “without knowledge” of whether the hazardous waste program under the Federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) established a “cradle to grave” system for controlling hazardous waste; and whether pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 272.501, the Federal EPA approved the hazardous waste management program administered by the FDEP pursuant to chapter 403, Florida Statutes. Moreover, Respondent was “without knowledge” of whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate drugs that have been discarded as hazardous or pharmaceutical waste; and that the FDA does not regulate generators or handlers of hazardous or pharmaceutical waste. Respondent also claimed to be “without knowledge” that some UPW is generated by hospitals during surgical procedures when a vial containing a standard dose of medication is not fully used because of the patient’s size or condition, with the unused dose “wasted” by placing it in a sealed, properly labeled UPW container; that hospitals that dispose of non-controlled and non-viable drugs in a properly labeled UPW container pursuant to rule 62-730.186, do not routinely create a list or inventory of the drugs being wasted or placed in the container that includes the name of the manufacturer, the name of the drug, the quantity, lot number, expiration date, or any combination of these elements; and that hospitals wasting non-viable controlled substances maintain a log that identifies the name and quantity of the controlled substance wasted, but not the manufacturer, the lot number, or the expiration date; and that such controlled substance log complies with DEA regulations as well as chapter 893, Florida Statutes. Mr. Dixon testified that the act of disposing of the unused portion of a prescription drug in a UPW container at a hospital that also contains sharps, broken glass, tissue, and bloody gauzes could constitute the adulteration of that prescription drug. Further, Mr. Dixon testified that when hospitals dispose of drugs in UPW containers they are “possibly” adulterating drugs, and when Petitioner picks up the UPW container, Petitioner may likewise “possibly” be holding adulterated drugs. Petitioner’s witness, Michelle Chambers, was accepted as an expert witness on UPW and related regulations, both state and federal. Although unpaid for her work due to being the spouse of Petitioner’s owner, she is the compliance coordinator, bookkeeper, and registered agent for Petitioner. Mrs. Chambers trains drug wholesalers how to manage their UPW by directing them to “utilize a return if they can get credit for the drug, but that once a drug becomes waste it falls under the guidelines of UPW and those drug wholesalers need to create a separate area that can handle UPW containers.” When discussing the process of sending UPW to a reverse distributor regulated by Respondent, Mrs. Chambers referred to the FDEP’s pharmaceutical waste guidelines, which state: Only pharmaceuticals with a reasonable expectation of credit can be sent to a reverse distributor. Drop pills, non- credible items, formulated mixtures, items with patient’s names, and raw chemicals cannot be sent to a reverse distributor for credit; thereafter, a waste determination is required and the decision must be made to manage this waste as hazardous waste or UPW waste. Mrs. Chambers stated she had knowledge of unexpired drugs, still in the original packaging that were declared waste by the wholesaler. She asserted that drug wholesalers abandoned or discarded the unexpired drugs in their original packaging because “they couldn’t send it back to a reverse distributor to get credit. There was just no value to it, whatsoever, so they decided to make that waste determination that this is waste, UPW.” Mrs. Chambers stated that UPW labels are attached to UPW containers in Petitioner’s facility, according to the FDEP rule regarding UPW. These labels represent the characteristics of the hazardous waste and other waste inside those containers. Some of the notations on the label refer to a substance, material, or a chemical product that is a prescription drug. She also testified that several documents may be created in the UPW process, such as a hazardous-waste manifest and a bill of lading. In records that a UPW handler is expected to maintain under FDEP rules, a UPW handler is not required to have those records contain the name of the drugs that are in the UPW containers, the manufacturer’s information, or the expiration date of the drugs in the UPW container. She asserted that Petitioner could not reasonably create inventories of all the drugs inside a UPW container because “some of the labels have been poured on by other elements within the container; some are unidentifiable; some are broken . . . it would be very difficult to create an inventory.” Based upon her audits of more than 200 hospitals, Mrs. Chambers stated that if a hospital has a procedure to put non-viable drugs in a UPW container, it is because they are trained to do so. She testified that no hospital she has ever audited has ever kept records that include drug names, manufacturers, or expiration dates for anything they have placed in the UPW containers. Petitioner picks up these containers and brings them to its facility. A UPW handler can add waste to the container, as well as consolidate those containers. Mrs. Chambers also discussed consumer packaging under rule 62-730.186(4)(a), which states: “Consumer packaging” means the packaging that surrounds and encloses a container, in a form intended or suitable for a healthcare or retail venue, or rejected during the manufacture process as long as it is enclosed in its bottle, jar, tube, ampoule, or package for final distribution to a healthcare or retail venue. Further, UPW handlers can conduct activities, including disassembling packages containing several pharmaceuticals into individual pharmaceuticals from consumer packaging. In her experience in the auditing of hospitals for UPW, as well as with Petitioner, Mrs. Chambers stated that controlled substances are put into UPW containers from time to time, yet Petitioner has never been cited or received a notice of violation from the DEA regarding the possession of a controlled substance. To her knowledge, the DEA has never notified any UPW handler in Florida of any violations for possessing controlled substances. Dr. Vu conducts inspections and investigations pursuant to chapter 499, specifically investigating unlicensed activities as well as inspecting facilities that are attempting to obtain a DDC permit. Dr. Vu was tendered and accepted as an expert in pharmacy and conducting inspections for Respondent pursuant to chapter 499. She testified that during her inspection of Petitioner on July 14, 2014, she pulled drugs from UPW containers to inspect them. She admitted there were no prescription drugs outside the UPW containers on Petitioner’s premises. She stated that Petitioner’s agents or employees volunteered to open the UPW containers for her inspection. The scant evidence Dr. Vu relied upon that Petitioner had any controlled substances on the premises was based upon documents she obtained from a third party as well as from Petitioner. She admitted there was no evidence of controlled substances on Petitioner’s premises. While Dr. Vu stated she is able to recognize prescription drugs when she sees them, she is not able to recognize UPW since she is “not trained in universal pharmaceutical waste.” She also stated she is not able to recognize a non-viable drug when she sees it. Dr. Vu has received no training from Respondent on the opening of UPW containers, and even though she has not been trained in UPW rules and definitions, she strongly asserted that Petitioner “[c]learly was in possession of prescription drugs,” and that Petitioner had no permit or authorization to possess prescription drugs. When asked about her understanding of when a prescription drug ceases to be a prescription drug, she replied that “a prescription drug is always a prescription drug unless it’s inactivated or loses its drug ability –- characteristics.” Dr. Vu noted that this understanding is not stated in chapter 61N-1 or chapter 499. David Laven, another drug inspector for Respondent, was tendered and accepted as an expert in pharmacy and issues related to the inspection for Respondent under chapter 499. He testified that Petitioner is not allowed to possess prescription drugs without a DDC permit. On cross-examination, however, he admitted he had not read the rule on UPW, has no knowledge of EPA rules and requirements, and that he is not trained to recognize a non-viable drug. He testified that he considers a prescription drug that is discarded in a UPW container still to be a prescription drug because “there’s still a possibility, depending on how that drug has been disposed of, the container may be partially full –- it can be a full container sometimes. Drugs are thrown in a container for a number of reasons, doesn’t necessarily mean that the drug is no longer viable or can be used in any way.” Regarding the definition of prescription drugs, Mr. Laven stated that “[a] drug is no longer viable or useable if it’s out of date, it’s been damaged in some way, compromised, mis-branded, [or] adulterated.” On October 6, 2014, Petitioner sent a Notice of Unadopted Rules letter to Respondent, stating that the conduct and statements set forth above constitute unpromulgated rules and that, according to section 120.595(4)(b), Florida Statutes, they have 30 days to begin proposed rulemaking in order to rectify the actions and statements made. Respondent did not begin proposed rulemaking in that 30-day period. Respondent presented no evidence or testimony to establish that rulemaking was not feasible or practicable.

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BOARD OF MEDICINE vs. LOUIS C. ALAIA, 88-004659 (1988)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 88-004659 Latest Update: Jan. 07, 1989

The Issue The issue is whether the medical license held by Respondent, Louis C. Alaia, M.D., should be revoked or otherwise penalized based on the acts alleged in the Administrative Complaint.

Findings Of Fact The Respondent, Louis C. Alaia, M.D., was issued Florida medical license ME 0008062 on August 14, 1958. Dr. Alaia placed his Florida license on voluntary inactive status on December 31, 1979. Dr. Alaia's last known address is 18890 Santa Clara Circle, Fountain Valley, California. The Board of Medical Quality Assurance, the licensing authority for the State of California, revoked Dr. Alaia's license to practice medicine in California on May 15, 1987. The revocation was based on Dr. Alaia's conviction for manslaughter for the murder of his former wife and her boyfriend, on his inability to safely practice as a result of impairment from narcolepsy and cataplexy, and on his failure to show rehabilitation following the convictions and incarceration for the killings.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that The Department of Professional Regulation, Board of Medicine, enter a Final Order and therein revoke the license of Louis C. Alaia, M.D., to practice medicine in the State of Florida. DONE and ENTERED this 7th day of February, 1989, in Tallahassee, Florida. DIANE K. KIESLING Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 7th day of February, 1989. APPENDIX TO THE RECOMMENDED ORDER IN CASE NO. 88-4659 The following constitutes my specific rulings pursuant to Section 120.59(2), Florida Statutes, on the proposed findings of fact submitted by the parties in this case. Specific Rulings on Proposed Findings of Fact submitted by Petitioner, Department of Professional Regulation, Board of Medicine 1. Each of the following proposed findings of fact are adopted in substance as modified in the Recommended Order. The number in parentheses is the Finding of Fact which so adopts the proposed finding of fact: 1(1), 2(2), and 3(2). COPIES FURNISHED: JONATHAN KING STAFF ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION 130 NORTH MONROE STREET TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0750 LOUIS C. ALAIA 18890 SANTA CLARA CIRCLE FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 92708 KENNETH EASLEY GENERAL COUNSEL DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION 130 NORTH MONROE STREET TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0750 DOROTHY FAIRCLOTH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BOARD OF MEDICINE 130 NORTH MONROE STREET TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0750

Florida Laws (2) 120.57458.331
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BOARD OF MEDICINE vs RICHARD LEE PLAGENHOEF, 96-004317 (1996)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Sep. 12, 1996 Number: 96-004317 Latest Update: May 05, 1997

The Issue Whether disciplinary action should be taken against Respondent's license to practice as a physician.

Findings Of Fact The Agency is that state agency charged with regulating the practice of medicine pursuant to Section 20.42, Florida Statutes; Chapter 455, Florida Statutes; and Chapter 458, Florida Statutes. Respondent is a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Florida. Respondent holds license number ME 0055126. The State of Michigan Department of Commerce Board of Medicine is the licensing authority for the State of Michigan. On or about April 18, 1994, the State of Michigan Board of Medicine issued a letter of reprimand to Respondent, and ordered that Respondent pay a fine in the amount of $1,500.00 within ninety days of the Order for prescribing anabolic steroids for the purpose of improving body-building or weightlifting. Respondent is guilty of having action taken against his license to practice medicine by the licensing authority of the State of Michigan. The State of Michigan notified the agency of its action against the Respondent. A search of the agency's records revealed he had not notified the agency of the action taken by Michigan against him. On or about September 5, 1995, an attempt was made to notify Respondent about the information the agency had received. This letter was subsequently returned unclaimed with a forwarding address in Dallas, Texas. On or about November 9, 1995, a second attempt was made to notify Respondent of the complaint. The letter was sent to Post Office Box 12131, Dallas, Texas 75225, which is the Respondent's current address.1 The Respondent returned the election of rights form and a letter requesting a formal hearing. Respondent failed to notify the Florida Board of Medicine within thirty days of the action taken against his medical license in Michigan. The Respondent failed to notify the Board of his change of address. The Respondent was preciously disciplined by the Board of Medicine by Final Order number AHCA96-00464. The Respondent's license was suspended until he appeared and demonstrated that he could practice with skill and safety.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law set forth herein, it is, RECOMMENDED: That Respondent the Agency enter its Final Order finding the violation of Section 458.331(1)(b), Section 458.331(x) and 458.331(1)(kk) and, Florida Statutes, and revoking the Respondent's license to practice medicine in Florida. DONE and ENTERED this 28th day of February, 1997, in Tallahassee, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 28th day of February, 1997.

Florida Laws (4) 120.5720.42458.319458.331
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF PHARMACY vs J. MARK WINGER, R.PH., 01-003075PL (2001)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Boca Raton, Florida Aug. 02, 2001 Number: 01-003075PL Latest Update: Sep. 29, 2024
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BOARD OF NURSING vs. THERESA KATHLEEN STEWART, 77-001239 (1977)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 77-001239 Latest Update: Mar. 21, 1979

The Issue Whether or not, the following facts constitute a violation of 464.21(1)(b) and (d), F.S.: On January 2, 1977, Officer J.W. Carlyle of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, acting in an undercover capacity, purchased from the licensee for $10.00, six capsules of what the licensee represented to him to be mescaline, which was in fact liver pills and/or vitamins. Upon being arrested for the possession and sale of a controlled substance, at that time the licensee threw to the ground, a vial containing six foil packets which upon analysis proved to be phenoharbitol, a controlled substance. Whether or not, the following facts constitute a violation of 464.21(1)(b) and (d), F.S.: Licensee was charged with felony of possession of a controlled substance, to wit: phenobarbital, in Case No. 77-249 CFS in the Circuit Court of Duval County, Florida. On April 27, 1977, following a plea of nolo contendere, licensee was found guilty of the charge, adjudication was withheld and she was placed on probation for a period of two years, with a special condition that she enroll and follow through with a drug treatment program, in- patient if necessary. There were several other substantive violations found in the Administrative Complaint, specifically in paragraphs 1, 2 and 5 of that complaint. These substantive paragraphs were withdrawn from consideration upon the Motion to Withdraw by the Petitioner's attorney and the agreement of the Respondent's attorney.

Findings Of Fact Theresa Kathleen Stewart, R.N., holds License No. 73310-2, with the State of Florida, Board of Nursing. In the course of the hearing, the following factual stipulation was entered into between the parties: On January 2, 1977, Officer J. W. Carlyle of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, acting in an undercover capacity, purchased from the licensee for $10.00 six capsules of what the licensee represented to be mescaline. In fact, the substance was liver pills and/or vitamins. Upon being arrested for the possession and sale of a controlled substance, at that time, (January 2, 1977), the licensee threw to the ground the vial containing six foil packets which upon analysis proved to be phenobarbital, a controlled substance. The charges brought from the arrest for the possession and sale of the alleged mescaline were dropped when the chemical analysis of the substances proved them to be liver pills and/or vitamins. Out of the events of January 2, 1977, the licensee was charged with a felony of possession of a controlled substance, to wit: phenobarbital, in Case NO. 77-249 CFS, in the Circuit Court of Duval County, Florida. On April 27, 1977, following a plea of nolo contendere, licensee was found guilty of the charge, adjudication of guilt was withheld and she was placed on probation for a period of two years with a special condition that she enroll and follow through with a drug treatment program, in-patient if necessary. Based upon the facts recited, the Petitioner claims that the Respondent has violated 464.21(1)(b)(c) and (d), F.S. which states: "GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE-- The board shall have the authority to deny a license to any applicant or discipline the holder of a license or any other person temporarily authorized by the board to practice nursing in the state whose default has been entered or who has been heard and found guilty by the board of: * * * (b) Unprofessional conduct which shall include any departure from, or the failure to conform to, the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing nursing practice, in which proceeding, actual injury need not be established." An examination of the facts stipulated to as the basis for consideration of this case, do not constitute a sufficient showing that the Respondent has been guilty of unprofessional conduct within the meaning of 464.21(1)(b), F.S. The second substantive violation alleged by the Petitioner pertains to 464.21(1)(c), F.S., which reads as follows: "GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE.-- The board shall have the authority to deny a license to any applicant or discipline the holder of a license or any other person temporarily authorized by the board to practice nursing in the state whose default has been entered or who has been heard and found guilty by the board of: * * * (c) Habitual intemperance or addiction to the use of controlled substances as set forth in chapter 893." Again, an analysis of the facts presented did not warrant the conclusion that the Respondent is guilty of habitual intemperance or addiction to the use of controlled substances found in 893, F.S. The third substantive violation asserted by the Petitioner pertains to 464.21(1)(d), F.S., whose provisions are: "GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE-- The board shall have the authority to deny a license to any applicant or discipline the holder of a license or any other person temporarily authorized by the board to practice nursing in the state whose default has been entered or who has been heard and found guilty by the board of: * * * (d) Engaging in the possession, sale or distribution of controlled substances as set forth in chapter 893, [for any other than legitimate purposes]." The facts agreed to in this cause establish that the Respondent was in possession of a controlled substance as set forth in 893, F.S., for other than legitimate purposes. Therefore, the licensee is held accountable for the penalties which may be imposed from such possession.

Recommendation At the conclusion of the factual stipulation, the parties were given an opportunity to present matters in aggravation and mitigation. Counsel for the Petitioner waived the opportunity to submit matters in aggravation. The Respondent presented mitigation. Some of the items of mitigation may be found in the Respondent's Exhibits 1 through 3 admitted into evidence. Exhibit 1 is a letter from a counselor with the Peninsula Manpower Training Skills Center in Hampton, Virginia. This letter states that the Respondent is enrolled in a horticulture class at the Vocational Technical Education Center of Hampton, Virginia, and is maintaining excellent grades and attendance standards. It also states that Respondent is working part-time at a local florist. The second Respondent's exhibit is a letter from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole Service, District 19. This is a letter from the Probation/Parole Officer, Drug/Alcohol Specialist, who states that the Respondent is doing well in her probation period. The final Exhibit No. 3, by Respondent, is a letter from a Rehabilitation Counselor with the Drug Rehabilitation Program of the City of Hampton, Virginia, which shows that Respondent is progressing well in the drug rehabilitation program. Respondent at present lives with her husband and eighteen months old child. It is the Respondent's desire that she be given probation for the offense, in order to allow her a clean record, should she apply for a license to be a registered nurse in the State of Virginia. It is her intention to make such application if possible. After considering the nature of the factual stipulation and the matters offered in mitigation, it is recommended that the license of Respondent to practice nursing in the State of Florida be suspended for a period of two years. DONE and ENTERED this 25th day of October, 1977, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings 530 Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 COPIES FURNISHED: Julius Finegold, Esquire 1005 Blackstone Building Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Herbert V. Kelly, Jr., Esquire 2600 Washington Avenue First and Merchants National Bank Building Post Office Box 78 Newport News, Virginia 23607 Ms. Theresa Kathleen Stewart 5927 Madison Avenue Newport News, Virginia 23605 William Travis, Esquire 4611 Pinewood Road Jacksonville, Florida 32210

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