Spokane dentist under investigation for unlawful prescribing of opioids
SPOKANE, Wash. — A local dentist who was arrested in a DUI crash back in May is now being investigated for unlawful prescribing of opioids.
Court documents say Dr. Nicholas Harker was uninjured in the crash a few months ago, but was acting slow and lethargic.
At the time, troopers found a half empty bottle of hydrocodone inside Harker’s BMW and arrested him for driving under the influence of narcotics.
They later learned the prescription had been filled just the day before and Harker had prescribed them to a family member. Not only did Harker prescribe them, court documents say he also picked the pills up himself.
A look at the Department of Health’s Prescription Monitoring Program and WSP detectives learned Harker had prescribed drugs to the same family member 21 times since December 2016.
Detectives served a search warrant to Harker’s North Spokane practice, My Dentist. Court records show Harker received a notice of arrest on Wednesday. He appeared in court, but was released on his own recognizance.
According to his website, Harker graduated from Eastern and the Marquette School of Dentistry. He specializes in a wide range of procedures, including wisdom teeth removal and cosmetic dentistry.
Harker is due back in court September 4. In the meantime, he is allowed to practice under the conditions of his release.
COPYRIGHT 2023 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
