Trending Topics

Medic charged in drug theft opens up about addiction

He stole painkillers from the fire station twice and is now undergoing treatment and counseling

Peninsula Daily News

SEQUIM, Wash. — As far as the courts are concerned, Paul Rynearson owes Clallam County Fire District No. 3 just $9.42.

But his addiction to narcotic painkillers has cost him much more. After being accused of stealing morphine from the Fire District 3 station in Sequim, Rynearson said he will not be able to renew his license to work as a firefighter/paramedic and will never be able to work in the field again.

“[The addiction] just reared its ugly head, and those are the repercussions of it,” Rynearson said Friday.

Read full story: Former Clallam firefighter/paramedic steeped in treatment, counseling in wake of drug theft charges