UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT

GARY DON LITTLE,

Plaintiff-Appellant,

v.

DR. ARCHER, a/k/a/ Dale Archer,

Defendant-Appellee.

No. 00-7025

(D.C. No. 97-CV-507-S)

(E.D. Okla.)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

Before BALDOCK, ANDERSON, and HENRY, Circuit Judges.

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Plaintiff Gary Little filed an action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, seeking monetary damages for alleged constitutional violations that occurred during his incarceration in the Carter County Detention Center. He alleged that Dale Archer, a physician's assistant on contract with the detention center, violated his Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment when he showed deliberated indifference to plaintiff's serious medical needs.1 The district court granted summary judgment in favor of defendant, and plaintiff appeals. After de novo review, we affirm. See Kaul v. Stephan, 83 F.3d 1208, 1212 (10th Cir. 1996) (stating that this court reviews summary judgment ruling de novo).

Plaintiff was booked into the detention center on August 4, 1997, and he advised the officials that he was a heroin addict. He requested medical treatment for his addiction, both verbally and in writing. When he filed his complaint, he had not yet been seen by defendant. In response to plaintiff's written request for medical services, defendant examined plaintiff on September 8, 1997. Although he prescribed medication and recommended a mattress for back pain, defendant determined that no treatment was necessary for plaintiff's drug addiction. Defendant examined plaintiff again on September 8th and October 7th, when he provided treatment for various complaints.

To prevail on his claim that his Eighth Amendment right was violated, plaintiff must show that defendant was deliberately indifferent to plaintiff's serious medical needs. Olson v. Stotts, 9 F.3d 1475, 1477 (10th Cir. 1993). The record shows no deliberate indifference by defendant. To the contrary, the record shows that defendant actively treated plaintiff's medical complaints. To the extent that plaintiff is complaining of a delay in medical treatment, this record does not evidence deliberate indifference that resulted in substantial harm. See id. Consequently, any delay in treatment here did not violate the Eighth Amendment. Similarly, plaintiff's issue with defendant's decision that plaintiff's drug addiction did not require treatment is nothing more than a difference of opinion as to proper treatment and, as such, does not rise to the level of an Eighth Amendment violation. See Ramos v. Lamm, 639 F.2d 559, 575 (10th Cir. 1980).

In sum, plaintiff failed to show a violation of his Eighth Amendment right through deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. The district court's grant of summary judgment is AFFIRMED. In addition, we remind plaintiff of

his obligation to continue to make partial payments pursuant to the district court's order that he be allowed to proceed without prepayment of costs or fees. The mandate shall issue forthwith.

Entered for the Court

Bobby R. Baldock

Circuit Judge