Ohio medical board votes to arm investigators

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The State Medical Board of Ohio has voted to allow its investigators to carry firearms on the job.

Officials say today's vote comes in response to increased danger to investigators who go after so-called “pill mills” — clinics where unscrupulous doctors overprescribe pain killers to patients who don’t need them.

Investigators had said they have run into armed staff at those clinics.

Medical board spokeswoman Joan Wehrle says investigators won’t be allowed to make arrests or act as law enforcement, but will only carry for self-defense.

The next step is for the board to develop a training program for its investigators, as well as guidelines as to when they will be permitted to carry. That plan will be presented to the board at its September meeting.