Aha! Finally a resolution to the impasse.In an earlier post you stated "He obviously used drugs".In another post you state that one needn't be a genius to figure that out.The quotes that we,the readers,know were issued by the hospital seemed to me to suggest a different explanation was possible,if not even more likely.
But now you state that drug use is a "statistically reasonable/likely" explanation for the postponement/cancellation of this kid's surgery.As I've already stated in this thread (but perhaps not to you...I'm too lazy to check) drug use certainly would cause serious concern for the medical/surgical team,concern so great as to result in postponement.
You know parolees well.I know them from watching the Crime Channel and reading the papers.Even my limited knowledge of parolees tells me that some,if not many,use drugs from time to time,if not regularly despite such use possibly landing them back in the slammer.
To sum up,this piece is so incomplete and vague (perhaps thanks to HIPPA laws) as to make it impossible for a reader to determine exactly what has,and hasn't,happened here.My experience in hospital administration is largely upon which I base that claim.
Is drug use the central issue in this case? That seems possible.Is there another explanation? That too seems very possible.
Just sayin'...
I respect and agree with what you have written. Apologes if at any time I was rude.