Authorities: Psychiatrist arrested

ALBANY, N.Y. » A Clifton Park psychiatrist specializing in addiction recovery was arrested Thursday for distributing controlled substance outside of professional practice for no legitimate medical purpose, authorities said.

Adrian Morris, 61, dispensed Xanax, Adderall, and Suboxone to patients for no legitimate medical purpose, and to at least one patient in exchange for sex, authorities said. Additionally to writing unjustified prescriptions to patients, Morris also wrote prescriptions for individuals he never treated, authorities said.

Morris appeared in Albany before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, who ordered him released pending further proceedings.

If convicted, Morris faces up to 20 years in prison, at least 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, and a maximum $1 million fine.

This case is being investigated by the DEA, FBI, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division; Charles Margiotta, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple.