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
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MAP posted-by: Josh