Nearly four-dozen indictments against a former Springfield doctor in an opioid abuse case are being dropped.
Frank Stirlacci, who had offices in Agawam and Springfield before volunteering to end his practice in 2016, is accused of improperly issuing prescriptions for certain drugs.
Hampden Superior Court Judge Mark Mason on Tuesday let him off the hook on 46 indictments and said in a ruling he expects to dismiss some of the remaining 22 counts.
Despite the dismissal, Mason acknowledged the existence of the opioid abuse crisis both nationally and regionally.
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