Pubdate: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Copyright: 2001 Lexington Herald-Leader Contact: http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240 Author: Glenda Clem Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin) DON'T PUNISH THOSE IN NEED OF OXYCONTIN I am writing this letter for myself and other chronic-pain sufferers who don't abuse OxyContin, but need it to perform our daily activities. OxyContin reduces pain for eight to 12 hours, whereas hydrocodone is good for only four to six hours. Its abuse has doctors afraid to write prescriptions, and that's not right. Put all the drug abusers in jail, but leave the medicines alone. If a doctor writes a prescription for me and I overdose on it, it is not the doctor's fault. It's mine, and I would not expect that doctor to take care of me anymore. Let's not blame the pain medicine. If the manufacturer stopped making OxyContin, there would be another one for people to get high on, legal or illegal. Please don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch. Glenda Clem Nicholasville - --- MAP posted-by: Josh