Long Island psychiatrist accused of selling controlled substances inappropriately

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (WABC) -- A Long Island psychiatrist was arrested on charges she unlawfully sold controlled substances.

According to the state Attorney General's Office, it began investigating after two Long Island families complained that Nasreen Kader was overprescribing addictive substances to their family members.

The families got in touch with Teri Kroll, who has taken on a role in life she never thought she would: being an advocate for families after losing her own son Timothy to a heroin overdose, a result of his previous addiction to oxycodone.

"To me this is an unfortunate legacy of Timothy's. But it gives me a sense to hold onto Tim in a really good way," said Kroll.

Kroll is one of the reasons Kader is now facing federal charges for allegedly overprescribing Ritalin and anti-anxiety drugs.

The families contacted Kroll, saying their grown children were getting way too many drugs through Kader.

"I'm ecstatic over the arrest. It was a long time coming," said one of the mothers when I spoke to her exclusively by phone Thursday.

She asked that we not identify her.

She says Kader destroyed her daughter's life.

"She created so much destruction among people. It's heart wrenching. Futures have been destroyed because of this woman. If she doesn't go away for a long time it would be a tragedy," she said.

Kroll advocated for the families to the Attorney General's office.

Kader now faces 80 years in prison.

"To get the phone call after their investigation that they're actually putting handcuffs on this person is such a relief," said Kroll.

Kader's attorney says many of Kader's patients lied to her about their conditions and history, which he says the Attorney General acknowledges.

Attorney Douglas Nadjari told us, "It looks to us as though the case has been carelessly prepared. She's not guilty and we'll let the rest play out in court."

Kader, 48, of Central Islip, was arraigned this week in Suffolk County on 15 counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance.

Kader met with undercover agents posing as patients on 12 separate occasions at her Suffolk County office in Ronkonkoma. Each time, Kader gave prescriptions to her "patients" after only brief visits without conducting a medical history, physical assessment or psychological evaluation, according to the A.G.'s office.

"Doctors ... must be stopped if they are found to be feeding the prescription drug addiction epidemic that is devastating families across New York and across our country," said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in a statement.

Kroll will join with thousands of others this weekend in Washington for the Fed Up Rally demanding that the government help solve the opioid epidemic. For more information: www.feduprally.org