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Mother accused of delivering drugs to son in Genesee County Jail

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia mother is in jail tonight accused of delivering drugs to her son, who was being held in the Genesee County Jail.

Kathleen Catino, 59, of Seven Springs Road, allegedly handed her son some oxycodone during a jail visit.

Cain Catino, 39, also of Seven Springs Road, is being held on a robbery charge. He is accused of entering the Oakfield Pharmacy on Sept. 20 and demanding hydrocodone.

The mother is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, promoting prison contraband, 2nd, and possession of a controlled substance by ultimate user's original container.

Son is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband.

Jail officers reportedly witnessed the transaction in the visitation area and immediately seized the alleged contraband.

Kathleen Catino was jailed without bail.

Dennis Jay

I don't know any first-hand details of this case, so I'll refrain from making rash comments. I do know that addiction of prescription painkilling drugs is an awful thing, and it likely will grow even worse than meth in the county.

But, for all we know, this guy may have had a lawful prescription and his mother was just bringing him his medicine. Things aren't always what they seem.

Oct 15, 2010, 5:17am Permalink
Jeff Allen

Dennis, there are no circumstances where a person can bring a controlled substance into a jail or prison to give to an inmate, lawful prescription or not. If an inmate is prescribed any medication, the taxpayers are obligated to pay for it.

Oct 15, 2010, 6:09am Permalink
Gary Spencer

If this was Cain's first brush with the law, I may be willing to cut him a break, however a quick search of the DOCS website shows he is a repeat offender, addiction or not, at some point this young man has to take personal responsibility for his actions, and Mommy is not helping him at all by bringing drugs into the jail.

http://nysdocslookup.docs.state.ny.us/GCA00P00/WIQ3/WINQ130

DIN # 08 B 2087 & 03 B 3030

Oct 15, 2010, 9:47am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I got a clarification from Chief Brewster. He said there were pills legally prescribed to Kathleen Catino, but they were not in their original container. It is the position of law enforcement that she did not intend to use them herself, hence the charge, "possession of a controlled substance by ultimate user's original container."

Oct 15, 2010, 10:41am Permalink
Jamie G

Obviously the mother shouldnt have brought drugs to her addict son. Im wondering how she got the drugs to her son without being searched first. I feel bad for their family, it has to be beyond embarassing.

Oct 15, 2010, 12:23pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

There's no need to rob a pharmacy for narcotics. Anyone can go to their doctor and tell them they're an addict and the doctor will put them on methadone. They can have all the junk they want after that.

Oct 16, 2010, 8:50am Permalink
Michele Case

I think this is very sad. Addiction is awful and touches on all family members. I am sure she was just trying to help her son. I just hope this person is not in pain, because in jail they won't even give you a tylenol.

Oct 16, 2010, 2:15pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Michele, maybe that's a reason not to end up in jail. Opiate withdrawals can actually be life threatening if the level of physical dependence is elevated. I'm pretty sure that proper medical attention would be available if it was needed.

I have a family member who dispenses meds to inmates all day, every day so I know they can get medications if needed.

He's been in jail since September 20th so his withdrawals are almost nothing by now. There was no reason for his mother to try and sneak drugs to him other than he probably begged her and berated her into doing it. We've all seen mothers do nutty things for their offspring.

Oct 16, 2010, 3:27pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

Doug,
you are a wealth of misinformation! Opioid with drawl is NOT fatal, uncomfortable but not deadly.
And a Dr. will not give methadone if you go in and say you are an addict, he/she will recommend treatment, and then perhaps prescribe Suboxone.

Oct 16, 2010, 3:26pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Incorrect. Opiate withdrawals can put a person into shock. Shock can be fatal. The doctor will certainly offer treatment and one of those treatments will me methadone.

http://www.12-step-treatment.com/treatment/the-dangers-of-quitting-opia…

Without professional addiction treatment, people who quit opiates run the risk of serious complications. Opiate withdrawal is not fatal in and of itself, but related complications can be quite dangerous.

That's why quitting cold turkey is almost always a bad idea. Even if you do all of your preparation and have the determination to see it through to the end, you still risk uncomfortable and painful side effects that can cause you to lose your will. Also, without professional guidance and addiction therapy, you'll be much more likely to relapse later on.

Oct 16, 2010, 3:30pm Permalink
Billie Owens

The movie "Lady Sings the Blues," which garnered Diana Ross with a Best Actress nomination, is explicit in its depiction of the depths of heroin addiction. If you haven't seen the bio pic of Billie Holliday, I highly recommend it. Then tell me that "uncomfortable" is an apt word for withdrawals.

Oct 17, 2010, 4:03pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I remember reading an interview in Rolling Stone with Johnny Paycheck, many many years ago. He described quitting heroin - cold turkey by locking himself in his apartment and periodically scalding himself with hot coffee. I can't imagine what it must be like.

Oct 17, 2010, 8:29pm Permalink

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