(WHAS 11) A Kentucky doctor is on probation for five years after a hair sample tested positive for meth. He is claiming he never ingested meth and attributed the recent positive meth test to his hair gel.
Last year, Jordan Laferty, of Somerset, was treated twice for substance abuse disorders. Since then, he has agreed to abstain from mood-altering substances, including alcohol, and will be subject to periodic, unannounced drug tests for five years under an order filed Thursday by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
In February, Laferty was diagnosed with severe alcohol and meth use disorders and was admitted to an addition treatment center in Florida, according to the order.
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, where Laferty was licensed to practice medicine, filed a grievance with the medical licensure board after it received reports that Laferty was “exhibiting unusual unavailability in answering needs for patient care,” according to the order.
During an internal investigation, the hospital received reports that Laferty was slurring his speech and that his pupils were dilated. He then tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine and was placed on a leave of absence.
Laferty voluntarily contacted the Kentucky Physicians Health Foundation (KPHF) and participated in a residential treatment program at the Florida Recovery Center in early 2025, according to the order.
In April 2025, Laferty entered into a five-year aftercare and monitoring contract with KPHF. He agreed to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, individual therapy, medication management and drug and alcohol testing.
Laferty entered into the agreed order in May 2025. However, in October, KPHF received multiple positive blood and saliva tests for alcohol and recommended a comprehensive assessment.
In November, a hair test came back positive for meth, which Laferty adamantly denied ingesting, the order said. The KPHF evaluating team recommended that Laferty cease clinical practice until he successfully completed residential treatment at a facility.
The following month, he was admitted for residential treatment at the addiction treatment facility he previously attended in Florida.
Laferty admitted to consuming alcohol several times in 2025 but continued to “vehemently deny” meth use, attributing his positive test result “to hair gel he used.”
Under the order, signed by Laferty and a panel board chair, violation of any term or conditions would provide a legal basis for additional disciplinary action, including revocation of his medical license.