Actually, this sounds like drugs claim another victim. He didn't avoid treatment out of fear of consequences. He sought treatment out twice before.
I am not saying that he should be treated as a criminal though, nor that he should get off scott free. What I am saying is that its a bloody tough issue, and the radicals on both sides of the WOD issue are out to lunch.
Actually, whether he obtained the painkillers legally or illegally is an open question; he didn't seem to adress it but for the comments that the media had destorted details.